Question

Gabriel Nivasch’s “multi-stack” algorithm identifies these structures. An unsolved problem that asks whether these structures produce a double cover reduces to asking about “snarks.” These structures cause Kahn’s algorithm to output an empty list, since they prevent topological sortings. Pollard’s algorithm (10[1])for integer factorization is named for the eventual resemblance to one of these structures over time. Gosper’s algorithm (-5[1])for detecting these structures improves upon another algorithm that creates a leading and trailing pointer called a “hare” and “tortoise” (10[1])and is named for Floyd. Detecting these structures by checking (-5[1])already-visited nodes ensures that DFS halts. (10[1])The [emphasize] absence of these structures defines the “A” in a (10[1])DAG. For 10 (10[1])points, name these paths in a graph that eventually lead back to their (10[1])start. (10[3]0[2])■END■

ANSWER: cycles [accept word forms such as cyclic; accept circular or circuital or loops]
<Texas A, Other Science>
= Average correct buzz position

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Summary

Lower Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01Y6100%0%0%100.83
Midwest2025-02-01Y6100%0%50%111.17
Northeast2025-02-01Y4100%0%0%83.00
Overflow2025-02-01Y4100%0%25%105.75
Pacific Northwest2025-02-01Y2100%0%0%104.00
UK2025-02-01Y1090%0%20%101.33
Upper Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01Y888%0%0%79.86

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Justin KeungImperial AOxford A4010
James ByrneBristolSouthampton B58-5
Benjamin LiuOxford CDurham7810
Matt SheldonOxford BSouthampton A88-5
Albert NyangLSECambridge A9410
Shiv SeshanCambridge BManchester10510
Linus LuuCambridge DWarwick A10810
Andrew FisherSheffieldCambridge C12110
Michael WuSouthampton BBristol12210
Ruth Ní MhuircheartaighCambridge EWarwick B1220
Tobin PayneWarwick BCambridge E1220
Rafael CastroImperial BNYU C12210
Cormac StephensonSouthampton AOxford B12210