A project has activities with the following durations: A=5 days, B=3 days, C=7 days, D=4 days. Path 1: A→C (12 days), Path 2: B→D (7 days). What is the total float for Path 2?
Correct Answer
A) 5 days
Total float is the difference between the critical path duration and the path duration. Path 1 (12 days) is critical, Path 2 is 7 days, so total float = 12 - 7 = 5 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Total float represents the amount of time an activity or path can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. It is calculated by subtracting the non-critical path duration from the critical path duration. Since Path 1 (A→C) takes 12 days and is the longest path, it becomes the critical path that determines project duration. Path 2 (B→D) takes only 7 days, so it has 12 - 7 = 5 days of total float before it would impact the overall project schedule.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 0 days
0 days would indicate that Path 2 is also critical, but since it's shorter than Path 1, it has available float time
Option C: 3 days
3 days doesn't represent any meaningful calculation in this context - it's neither the path duration nor the correct float calculation
Option D: 7 days
7 days is the duration of Path 2 itself, not the float time available for delays
Memory Technique
Remember 'Float = Critical - Current' - the float time equals the critical path duration minus the current path duration
Reference Hint
Project Management chapter, specifically Critical Path Method (CPM) and float calculations section
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