Bipartite matching
A bipartite relation has two disjoint classes of vertices. A complete matching pairs every required left vertex with a different allowed right vertex
- Keep the two classes separate Every selected pair joins one left label to one right label \(\displaystyle L_1\leftrightarrow R_1\)
- Use only allowed pairs A relation entry of 1 permits a pair; an entry of 0 does not \(\displaystyle R(L_2,R_3)=1\Rightarrow L_2\text{ may use }R_3\)
- Do not reuse a right label Once a right label has been assigned, remove it from the remaining choices \(\displaystyle L_1\leftrightarrow R_1,\quad L_2\leftrightarrow R_1\text{ is not one-to-one}\)
- Assign every required left label A complete matching has one selected pair for each required left label \(\displaystyle L_1\leftrightarrow R_1,\quad L_2\leftrightarrow R_2,\quad L_3\leftrightarrow R_3\)
Worked example
Each technician row lists jobs J₁, J₂, J₃ and J₄ in that order; 1 means allowed and 0 means not allowed. Find the complete matching
- \(\displaystyle T_2\leftrightarrow J_2\)T_2 has only one allowed job, so this pair is forced
- \(\displaystyle T_3\leftrightarrow J_1\)T_3 has only one allowed job, so J_1 is now used
- \(\displaystyle T_1\leftrightarrow J_3\)T_1 can use J_1 or J_3, but J_1 has already been used
- \(\displaystyle T_4\leftrightarrow J_4\)T_4 can use J_3 or J_4, but J_3 has already been used
Common mistakes
Difficulty levels
Questions about this topic
What is the difference between a matching and a complete matching?+
A matching has no repeated selected vertex. A complete matching also assigns every required left vertex, and usually every required right column in a balanced problem
Why should a forced pair be removed from later choices?+
Its left and right labels are already used. Removing them prevents a later pair from reusing a vertex and can reveal the next forced match
Can a bipartite relation have more right vertices than left vertices?+
Yes. A complete matching can still exist if each left vertex has a distinct allowed right vertex; some right vertices may remain unused
Can I use a calculator?+
No. This topic is practised without a calculator
Which year level and chapter is this?+
Year 12, VCE Units 3 & 4, General Mathematics, chapter 14: Flow, matching and scheduling