A flow graph 𝐹 with entry node (1) and exit node (11) is shown below: How…

Answer: 8 nodes.

Explanation:

• Interpretation of the diagram: the circle labeled "2,3" represents two distinct nodes, node 2 followed by node 3.

• Find a longest simple (independent) path from the entry (1) to the exit (11). One such path is:

• 1 → 2 → 3 → 6 → 7 → 9 → 10 → 11

• Count the nodes on this path: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 → total = 8 nodes.

• There is another equally long path that uses node 8 instead of node 7: 1 → 2 → 3 → 6 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 (also 8 nodes).

• Why 9 nodes is not possible: nodes 7 and 8 are on parallel branches that both lead into node 9, so a simple path cannot visit both 7 and 8 without repeating nodes. Therefore no path visits 9 distinct nodes.