Suppose the 10 cities are divided into 4 distinct groups G1, G2, G3, G4 having 3, 3, 2 and 2 cities respectively and that G1 consists of cities named A, B and C. Further, suppose that direct flights are allowed only between two cities satisfying one of the following:
1) Both cities are in G1
2) Between A and any city in G2
3) Between B and any city in G3
4) Between C and any city in G4
Then the minimum number of direct flights that satisfies the underlying principle of the airline is:
Number of direct flights within the group G1 =3C2×4=12
Number of direct flights between A and any city in G2 =3C1×4=12
Number of direct flights between B and any city in G3 =2C1×4=8
Number of direct flights between C and any city in G4 =2C1×4=8
Hence, Minimum number of direct flights to be scheduled = 12 + 12 + 8 + 8 = 40