Problem of the Block
Block 4
Sprinklers
Consider installing a system of underground sprinklers to water the lawn. A sprinkler needs to be placed
at each node in the figure below. The cost to install a pipe connecting any two nodes is also shown in the
figure. Every sprinkler needs to be connected to the rest of the sprinklers. What pipes should be installed
in order to minimize the cost?
46
54
I
H
G
32
12
18
M
34
30
F
5
39
21
N
11
E
L
14
32
11
31
23
16
23
A
35
K
J
31
B
26
C
D
Turn in solutions to Dr. Skorczewski in Law 204 or by email at tskorczewski@cornellcollege.edu by January
10. Multiple submissions are allowed. Solutions for only one/some questions or partial solutions will receive
credit (and are encouraged!). For more information about the Problem of the Block and to print off your
own copy visit http://www.cornellcollege.edu/mathematics/problem-of-the-block/index.shtml.
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