Adjacency Matrix Representation in DSA C - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an adjacency matrix in graph representation?

An adjacency matrix is a 2D array used to represent a graph where each cell at row i and column j indicates if there is an edge from vertex i to vertex j.

beginner

How do you represent no edge between two vertices in an adjacency matrix for an unweighted graph?

You represent no edge by storing 0 in the cell corresponding to those two vertices in the adjacency matrix.

intermediate

In an adjacency matrix for a weighted graph, what value is typically used to represent no edge?

A special value like a very large number (e.g., INT_MAX) is used to represent no edge, depending on the implementation.

beginner

What is the time complexity to check if an edge exists between two vertices using an adjacency matrix?

It is O(1) because you directly access the matrix cell at [i][j].

intermediate

What is a disadvantage of using adjacency matrix for graph representation?

It uses O(V²) space, which can be inefficient for graphs with many vertices but few edges (sparse graphs).

What does a 1 in the adjacency matrix cell [2][3] indicate in an unweighted graph?

A There is an edge from vertex 2 to vertex 3

B There is no edge from vertex 2 to vertex 3

C Vertex 2 and 3 are the same

D The graph is weighted

A 1 means an edge exists from vertex 2 to vertex 3.

What is the size of an adjacency matrix for a graph with 5 vertices?

A 4 x 4

B 5 x 4

C 5 x 5

D Depends on number of edges

The adjacency matrix is always V x V, so 5 x 5 for 5 vertices.

Which operation is fastest with adjacency matrix representation?

A List all neighbors of a vertex

B Remove a vertex

C Add a new vertex

D Check if an edge exists between two vertices

Checking edge existence is O(1) by direct access.

What is the space complexity of adjacency matrix for a graph with V vertices?

A O(V²)

B O(V)

C O(E)

D O(1)

Adjacency matrix uses O(V²) space regardless of edges.

In a weighted graph adjacency matrix, what does a 0 usually mean?

A No edge between vertices

B Edge weight zero

C Edge exists with weight 1

D Graph is unweighted

In weighted graphs, 0 can mean edge weight zero; no edge is often represented by a special value like INT_MAX.

Explain how an adjacency matrix represents edges in a graph.

Think of a table where rows and columns are vertices.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using adjacency matrix for graph representation.

Consider speed and memory use.

Practice

1. What does an adjacency matrix represent in graph theory?

easy

A. A 2D array showing connections between nodes

B. A list of nodes in the graph

C. A sequence of edges in order

D. A tree structure of nodes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand adjacency matrix concept

   An adjacency matrix is a 2D array where rows and columns represent nodes.

2. Step 2: Identify what the matrix stores

   Each cell shows if an edge exists between two nodes (1 for connected, 0 for not).

3. Final Answer:

   A 2D array showing connections between nodes -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Adjacency matrix = 2D array [OK]

Hint: Adjacency matrix is always a 2D grid of node connections [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing adjacency matrix with adjacency list
• Thinking it stores node values instead of edges
• Assuming it is a sequence or tree

2. Which of the following is the correct way to declare a 4x4 adjacency matrix in C?

easy

A. int matrix[4];

B. int matrix[4][4];

C. int matrix[];

D. int matrix[4,4];

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall C array declaration syntax

   In C, a 2D array is declared as type name[rows][columns].

2. Step 2: Match syntax for 4x4 matrix

   For 4 rows and 4 columns, it is int matrix[4][4];

3. Final Answer:

   int matrix[4][4]; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   2D array syntax = int matrix[4][4]; [OK]

Hint: Use int matrix[rows][columns] for 2D arrays in C [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using single dimension array for matrix
• Using comma inside brackets (invalid syntax)
• Not specifying both dimensions

3. Given the following adjacency matrix for a graph with 3 nodes:

int matrix[3][3] = {
  {0, 1, 0},
  {1, 0, 1},
  {0, 1, 0}
};

Which nodes are directly connected to node 1 (index 1)?

medium

A. [1, 2]

B. [0, 1]

C. [0, 2]

D. [2]

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify row for node 1

   Node 1 corresponds to index 1, so look at matrix[1]: {1, 0, 1}.

2. Step 2: Find indices with value 1

   Positions 0 and 2 have 1, meaning node 1 connects to nodes 0 and 2.

3. Final Answer:

   [0, 2] -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   matrix[1][0] and matrix[1][2] = 1 [OK]

Hint: Check the row of the node for 1s to find connections [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing row and column indices
• Including the node itself as connected
• Reading zeros as connections

4. Consider this code snippet to initialize a 3x3 adjacency matrix in C:

int matrix[3][3];
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
  for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
    matrix[i][j] = 0;
  }
}
matrix[1][3] = 1;

What is the error in this code?

medium

A. Accessing out-of-bounds index matrix[1][3]

B. Missing semicolon after for loop

C. Incorrect initialization of matrix elements

D. Using wrong data type for matrix

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop ranges and matrix size

   Matrix is 3x3, so valid indices are 0 to 2 for both rows and columns.

2. Step 2: Identify invalid index usage

   matrix[1][3] tries to access column index 3, which is out of bounds.

3. Final Answer:

   Accessing out-of-bounds index matrix[1][3] -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Index 3 invalid for size 3 array [OK]

Hint: Array indices go from 0 to size-1; check carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring array bounds and using invalid indices
• Assuming loops fix out-of-range errors
• Confusing row and column indices

5. You have a directed graph with 4 nodes. The adjacency matrix is:

int matrix[4][4] = {
  {0, 1, 0, 0},
  {0, 0, 1, 0},
  {1, 0, 0, 0},
  {0, 0, 0, 0}
};

Which nodes have no incoming edges?

hard

A. [0]

B. [0, 3]

C. [1, 3]

D. [3]

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand incoming edges in adjacency matrix

   Incoming edges to a node are shown by 1s in that node's column.

2. Step 2: Check each column for 1s

   Column 0 has 1 at row 2 (node 2 -> node 0).
   Column 1 has 1 at row 0 (node 0 -> node 1).
   Column 2 has 1 at row 1 (node 1 -> node 2).
   Column 3 has no 1s (all 0s).

3. Step 3: Identify nodes with no incoming edges

   Nodes 1 and 3 have no incoming edges because column 1 has 1 at row 0 (so node 1 has incoming edge), so this is incorrect. Actually, column 1 has 1 at row 0, so node 1 has incoming edge. Column 3 has no 1s, so node 3 has no incoming edges. Node 0 has incoming edge from node 2. Node 2 has incoming edge from node 1. So only node 3 has no incoming edges.

4. Final Answer:

   [3] -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Column 3 all 0s [OK]

Hint: Look down columns to find incoming edges for each node [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Checking rows instead of columns for incoming edges
• Confusing directed and undirected edges
• Missing edges from nodes to themselves