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Constructing timetables for sport competitions

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Combinatorial Optimization II

Part of the book series: Mathematical Programming Studies ((MATHPROGRAMM,volume 13))

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm for constructing feasible solutions of sport competitions e.g. soccer. After the definition of what is meant by a competition, necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a competition is proved with the aid of edge-colouring of complete graphs. Feasible timetables can be found by constructing an oriented edge-colouring.

For a fair competition it is necessary to find for each club a Home-and-Away Pattern, such that each club plays as few as possible two or more Home-(or Away)-matches after each other. Based on graph-theoretical results found by de Werra, an algorithm is presented. This algorithm constructs timetables, where no club plays more than once two Home-(or Away)-matches after each other in a half-competition.

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References

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V. J. Rayward-Smith

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© 1980 The Mathematical Programming Society

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Schreuder, J.A.M. (1980). Constructing timetables for sport competitions. In: Rayward-Smith, V.J. (eds) Combinatorial Optimization II. Mathematical Programming Studies, vol 13. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0120907

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0120907

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-00803-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-00804-7

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