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 placing 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 infinity (or a very large number) 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 cell at row i and column j in the matrix.

intermediate

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

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

What does a '1' in the cell (i, j) of an adjacency matrix represent in an unweighted graph?

A The graph is weighted

B There is no edge from vertex i to vertex j

C Vertex i equals vertex j

D There is an edge from vertex i to vertex j

In an unweighted graph adjacency matrix, '1' means an edge exists from vertex i to vertex j.

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

A O(V + E)

B O(V²)

C O(V)

D O(E²)

An adjacency matrix uses a V by V 2D array, so space complexity is O(V²).

Which operation is fastest with an adjacency matrix?

A Add a new vertex

B List all neighbors of a vertex

C Check if an edge exists between two vertices

D Remove a vertex

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

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

A No edge exists

B Edge weight is one

C Edge weight is zero

D Graph is unweighted

Typically, a special value like infinity or a very large number means no edge in weighted graphs; 0 can mean an edge with zero weight if allowed.

Which graph type is adjacency matrix less efficient for?

A Sparse graphs

B Dense graphs

C Complete graphs

D Directed graphs

Adjacency matrix wastes space for sparse graphs with few edges.

Explain how an adjacency matrix represents edges in a graph and how to check if an edge exists between two vertices.

Think of a table where rows and columns are vertices.

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

Consider speed versus memory use.

Practice

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

easy

A. A queue of nodes to visit

B. A list of nodes in the graph

C. A 2D array showing edges between nodes

D. A stack of visited 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 edge, 0 for no edge).

3. Final Answer:

   A 2D array showing edges between nodes -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Adjacency matrix = 2D array of edges [OK]

Hint: Adjacency matrix is always a 2D array showing connections [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing adjacency matrix with adjacency list
• Thinking it stores node values instead of edges
• Mixing up matrix with traversal order

2. Which of the following is the correct way to declare an adjacency matrix for 4 nodes in C#?

easy

A. int[] matrix = new int[4];

B. int[,] matrix = new int[4,4];

C. int[][] matrix = new int[4];

D. int matrix = new int[4,4];

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct 2D array syntax in C#

   In C#, a 2D array is declared as int[,] with size [rows, columns].

2. Step 2: Check each option

   int[,] matrix = new int[4,4]; uses int[,] with size [4,4], correct for adjacency matrix of 4 nodes.

3. Final Answer:

   int[,] matrix = new int[4,4]; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   2D array syntax = int[,] [OK]

Hint: Use int[,] for 2D arrays in C# [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using jagged array syntax instead of 2D array
• Declaring 1D array for adjacency matrix
• Missing comma in array declaration

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

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

What is the output of Console.WriteLine(matrix[1,2]);?

medium

A. 1

B. 0

C. 2

D. Error

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate matrix element at row 1, column 2

   Matrix rows and columns start at 0, so matrix[1,2] is second row, third column.

2. Step 2: Check value at matrix[1,2]

   From the matrix, second row is {1, 0, 1}, third element is 1.

3. Final Answer:

   1 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   matrix[1,2] = 1 [OK]

Hint: Remember zero-based indexing for matrix rows and columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing row and column indices
• Assuming 1-based indexing
• Misreading matrix values

4. Identify the error in this C# code snippet for creating an adjacency matrix of 3 nodes:

int[] matrix = new int[3];
matrix[0,1] = 1;

medium

A. Incorrect array declaration syntax

B. No error, code is correct

C. Index out of range error

D. Cannot assign value to matrix[0,1]

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze array declaration

   int[] matrix = new int[3]; declares a 1D array of 3 integers.

2. Step 2: Examine the assignment

   matrix[0,1] = 1; attempts to use 2D indexing on a 1D array, which is invalid in C#.

3. Final Answer:

   Cannot assign value to matrix[0,1] -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   1D array indexing mismatch [OK]

Hint: 1D arrays cannot use [row,col] indexing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 2D indexing on 1D array
• Assuming jagged array syntax for 2D array
• Ignoring compiler error messages

5. You have a directed graph with 4 nodes. Which adjacency matrix correctly represents edges from node 0 to 1 and 2, and from node 3 to 0?

hard

A. int[,] matrix = new int[,] {
{0, 1, 1, 0},
{0, 0, 0, 0},
{0, 0, 0, 0},
{1, 0, 0, 0}
};

B. int[,] matrix = new int[,] {
{0, 1, 0, 0},
{1, 0, 0, 0},
{1, 0, 0, 0},
{0, 0, 0, 1}
};

C. int[,] matrix = new int[,] {
{0, 0, 0, 1},
{1, 0, 0, 0},
{1, 0, 0, 0},
{0, 1, 1, 0}
};

D. int[,] matrix = new int[,] {
{0, 1, 1, 0},
{0, 0, 0, 1},
{0, 0, 0, 0},
{0, 0, 0, 0}
};

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand directed edges in adjacency matrix

   For directed graph, matrix[i,j] = 1 means edge from node i to node j.

2. Step 2: Check edges from node 0 to 1 and 2

   Row 0 should have 1s at columns 1 and 2.

3. Step 3: Check edge from node 3 to 0

   Row 3 should have 1 at column 0.

4. Step 4: Verify options

   int[,] matrix = new int[,] { {0, 1, 1, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {1, 0, 0, 0} }; matches all conditions exactly.

5. Final Answer:

   {{0, 1, 1, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {1, 0, 0, 0}} -> Option A

6. Quick Check:

   Directed edges = matrix[i,j] = 1 [OK]

Hint: Row = from node, column = to node in adjacency matrix [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing rows and columns for direction
• Using symmetric matrix for directed graph
• Missing edges or adding extra edges