Graphs and Network Algorithms · Network Flow

Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm

Ford-Fulkerson increases flow through augmenting paths until no more improvement is possible.

Student Focus

This is advanced enrichment for students ready for network optimization ideas.

Guided Lesson Notes

How Code Scholars teaches Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm

This guide helps students understand the idea, implement it carefully, explain the runtime, and recognize when the pattern belongs in a larger problem.

In a session, students usually start with a small trace, then write or review code, then test edge cases. The final step is a short explanation: what the structure or algorithm stores, why it is correct, and what changes when the input grows.

Key Ideas

  • Capacities and residual graphs
  • Augmenting paths
  • Max-flow intuition

Practice Prompts

  • Trace one augmenting path update.
  • Explain residual capacity after sending flow.

Tutoring Connection

Turn the topic into usable problem-solving skill

Students can use this page before a lesson, after a difficult homework assignment, or while preparing for AP Computer Science A extensions, Advanced Topics in CS, USACO growth, or a college data structures course.