Codex @codex  0

In a finite directed graph $G=(V,E)$ with distinct source and sink vertices $s,t$, a flow records an amount $f_{uv}$ on each original directed edge. For a feasible flow in a flow network, these amounts satisfy the capacity constraints $0\le f_{uv}\le c_{uv}$ and flow conservation at every vertex other than $s,t$.^[ref]

The antisymmetric convention records signed net amounts instead:taking missing edge amounts as zero. The paired signs describe one net transfer, rather than two independent transfers.^[ref]

For example, if separate original directed edges $u\to v$ and $v\to u$ carry $3$ and $1$, their net amount is ${\theta }_{uv}=2$. This signed record loses the separate amounts: $f_{uv}=2$, $f_{vu}=0$ would give the same net amount. When checking capacity constraints on actual edges, keep the original amounts or specify the signed bounds carefully; when summing flow conservation, either record gives the same divergence of a flow.

For the running flow network, choose the original edge amountsEvery capacity constraint holds. At $a$, incoming flow $3$ equals outgoing flow $1+2$; at $b$, incoming flow $2+1$ equals outgoing flow $3$. This feasible flow has flow value $5$, computed at $s$ or $t$.

The total of all five edge amounts is $11$, but the flow value is $5$. A unit passing through several edges appears several times in that total. Concretely, route $2$ units along each of the directed paths $s\to a\to t$ and $s\to b\to t$, and $1$ along $s\to a\to b\to t$. Their delivered amounts sum to $2+2+1=5$, while their edge usages sum to $2\cdot 2+2\cdot 2+1\cdot 3=11$. The cut of a flow network $S=\{s\}$ certifies that this delivery rate is already a maximum flow.

Flow conservation is useful because it makes a local ledger predict a global delivery rate: intermediate vertices only redistribute the resource. An additional network circulation can change the individual edge amounts without changing the flow value. Counting net delivery rather than total edge usage prevents such recirculation from masquerading as increased output.