Geodetic and Steiner geodetic sets in 3-Steiner distance hereditary graphs

Let G be a connected graph and S⊆V(G). Then the Steiner distance of S, denoted by d_G(S), is the smallest number of edges in a connected subgraph of G containing S. Such a subgraph is necessarily a tree called a Steiner tree for S. The Steiner interval for a set S of vertices in a graph, denoted by I(S) is the union of all vertices that belong to some Steiner tree for S. If S={u,v}, then I(S) is the interval I[u,v] between u and v. A connected graph G is 3-Steiner distance hereditary (3-SDH) if, for every connected induced subgraph H of order at least 3 and every set S of three vertices of H, d_H(S)=d_G(S). The eccentricity of a vertex v in a connected graph G is defined as e(v)=max{d(v,x)|x∈V(G)}. A vertex v in a graph G is a contour vertex if for every vertex u adjacent with v, e(u)?e(v). The closure of a set S of vertices, denoted by I[S], is defined to be the union of intervals between pairs of vertices of S taken over all pairs of vertices in S. A set of vertices of a graph G is a geodetic set if its closure is the vertex set of G. The smallest cardinality of a geodetic set of G is called the geodetic number of G and is denoted by g(G). A set S of vertices of a connected graph G is a Steiner geodetic set for G if I(S)=V(G). The smallest cardinality of a Steiner geodetic set of G is called the Steiner geodetic number of G and is denoted by sg(G). We show that the contour vertices of 3-SDH and HHD-free graphs are geodetic sets. For 3-SDH graphs we also show that g(G)?sg(G). An efficient algorithm for finding Steiner intervals in 3-SDH graphs is developed.     

The geodetic numbers of graphs and digraphs

For every two vertices u and v in a graph G,a u-v geodesic is a shortest path between u and v.Let I(u,v)denote the set of all vertices lying on a u-v geodesic.For a vertex subset S,let I(S) denote the union of all I(u,v)for u,v∈S.The geodetic number g(G)of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a set S with I(S)=V(G).For a digraph D,there is analogous terminology for the geodetic number g(D).The geodetic spectrum of a graph G,denoted by S(G),is the set of geodetic numbers of all orientations of graph G.The lower geodetic number is g~-(G)=minS(G)and the upper geodetic number is g~ (G)=maxS(G).The main purpose of this paper is to study the relations among g(G),g~-(G)and g~ (G)for connected graphs G.In addition,a sufficient and necessary condition for the equality of g(G)and g(G×K_2)is presented,which improves a result of Chartrand,Harary and Zhang.     

Steiner Numbers in Graphs

Abstract

The Steiner distance d(S) of a set S of vertices in a connected graph G is the minimum size of a connected subgraph of G that contains S. The Steiner number s(G) of a connected graph G of order p is the smallest positive integer m for which there exists a set S of m vertices of G such that d(S) = p—1. A smallest set S of vertices of a connected graph G of order p for which d(S) = p—1 is called a Steiner spanning set of G. It is shown that every connected graph has a unique Steiner spanning set. If G is a connected graph of order p and k is an integer with 0 ≤ k ≤ p—1, then the kth Steiner number sk(G) of G is the smallest positive integer m for which there exists a set S of m vertices of G such that d(S) = k. The sequence s_o(G),s₁ (G),…,8_p-1(G) is called the Steiner sequence of G. Steiner sequences for trees are characterized.     

The forcing hull and forcing geodetic numbers of graphs

For every pair of vertices u,v in a graph, a u-v geodesic is a shortest path from u to v. For a graph G, let I_G[u,v] denote the set of all vertices lying on a u-v geodesic. Let S⊆V(G) and I_G[S] denote the union of all I_G[u,v] for all u,v∈S. A subset S⊆V(G) is a convex set of G if I_G[S]=S. A convex hull [S]_G of S is a minimum convex set containing S. A subset S of V(G) is a hull set of G if [S]_G=V(G). The hull number h(G) of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a hull set in G. A subset S of V(G) is a geodetic set if I_G[S]=V(G). The geodetic number g(G) of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a geodetic set in G. A subset F⊆V(G) is called a forcing hull (or geodetic) subset of G if there exists a unique minimum hull (or geodetic) set containing F. The cardinality of a minimum forcing hull subset in G is called the forcing hull number f_h(G) of G and the cardinality of a minimum forcing geodetic subset in G is called the forcing geodetic number f_g(G) of G. In the paper, we construct some 2-connected graph G with (f_h(G),f_g(G))=(0,0),(1,0), or (0,1), and prove that, for any nonnegative integers a, b, and c with a+b≥2, there exists a 2-connected graph G with (f_h(G),f_g(G),h(G),g(G))=(a,b,a+b+c,a+2b+c) or (a,2a+b,a+b+c,2a+2b+c). These results confirm a conjecture of Chartrand and Zhang proposed in [G. Chartrand, P. Zhang, The forcing hull number of a graph, J. Combin. Math. Combin. Comput. 36 (2001) 81-94].     

The strong metric dimension of graphs and digraphs

Let G be a connected (di)graph. A vertex w is said to strongly resolve a pair u,v of vertices of G if there exists some shortest u-w path containing v or some shortest v-w path containing u. A set W of vertices is a strong resolving set for G if every pair of vertices of G is strongly resolved by some vertex of W. The smallest cardinality of a strong resolving set for G is called the strong dimension of G. It is shown that the problem of finding the strong dimension of a connected graph can be transformed to the problem of finding the vertex covering number of a graph. Moreover, it is shown that computing this invariant is NP-hard. Related invariants for directed graphs are defined and studied.     

The hull and geodetic numbers of orientations of graphs

For an oriented graph D, let I_D[u,v] denote the set of all vertices lying on a u-v geodesic or a v-u geodesic. For S⊆V(D), let I_D[S] denote the union of all I_D[u,v] for all u,v∈S. Let [S]_D denote the smallest convex set containing S. The geodetic number g(D) of an oriented graph D is the minimum cardinality of a set S with I_D[S]=V(D) and the hull number h(D) of an oriented graph D is the minimum cardinality of a set S with [S]_D=V(D). For a connected graph G, let O(G) be the set of all orientations of G, define g⁻(G)=min{g(D):D∈O(G)}, g⁺(G)=max{g(D):D∈O(G)}, h⁻(G)=min{h(D):D∈O(G)}, and h⁺(G)=max{h(D):D∈O(G)}. By the above definitions, h⁻(G)≤g⁻(G) and h⁺(G)≤g⁺(G). In the paper, we prove that g⁻(G)<h⁺(G) for a connected graph G of order at least 3, and for any nonnegative integers a and b, there exists a connected graph G such that g⁻(G)−h⁻(G)=a and g⁺(G)−h⁺(G)=b. These results answer a problem of Farrugia in [A. Farrugia, Orientable convexity, geodetic and hull numbers in graphs, Discrete Appl. Math. 148 (2005) 256-262].     

The Convexity Number of a Graph

 For two vertices u and v of a connected graph G, the set I[u,v] consists of all those vertices lying on a u−v shortest path in G, while for a set S of vertices of G, the set I[S] is the union of all sets I[u,v] for u,v∈S. A set S is convex if I[S]=S. The convexity number con(G) of G is the maximum cardinality of a proper convex set of G. The clique number ω(G) is the maximum cardinality of a clique in G. If G is a connected graph of order n that is not complete, then n≥3 and 2≤ω(G)≤con(G)≤n−1. It is shown that for every triple l,k,n of integers with n≥3 and 2≤l≤k≤n−1, there exists a noncomplete connected graph G of order n with ω(G)=l and con(G)=k. Other results on convex numbers are also presented. Received: August 19, 1998 Final version received: May 17, 2000     

On the computation of the hull number of a graph

Let G be a graph. If u,v∈V(G), a u-vshortest path of G is a path linking u and v with minimum number of edges. The closed interval I[u,v] consists of all vertices lying in some u-v shortest path of G. For S⊆V(G), the set I[S] is the union of all sets I[u,v] for u,v∈S. We say that S is a convex set if I[S]=S. The convex hull of S, denoted I_h[S], is the smallest convex set containing S. A set S is a hull set of G if I_h[S]=V(G). The cardinality of a minimum hull set of G is the hull number of G, denoted by hn(G). In this work we prove that deciding whether hn(G)≤k is NP-complete.We also present polynomial-time algorithms for computing hn(G) when G is a unit interval graph, a cograph or a split graph.     

The lower and upper forcing geodetic numbers of block–cactus graphs

A vertex set D in graph G is called a geodetic set if all vertices of G are lying on some shortest u–v path of G, where u, v ∈ D. The geodetic number of a graph G is the minimum cardinality among all geodetic sets. A subset S of a geodetic set D is called a forcing subset of D if D is the unique geodetic set containing S. The forcing geodetic number of D is the minimum cardinality of a forcing subset of D, and the lower and the upper forcing geodetic numbers of a graph G are the minimum and the maximum forcing geodetic numbers, respectively, among all minimum geodetic sets of G. In this paper, we find out the lower and the upper forcing geodetic numbers of block–cactus graphs.     

On geodetic sets formed by boundary vertices

Let G be a finite simple connected graph. A vertex v is a boundary vertex of G if there exists a vertex u such that no neighbor of v is further away from u than v. We obtain a number of properties involving different types of boundary vertices: peripheral, contour and eccentric vertices. Before showing that one of the main results in [G. Chartrand, D. Erwin, G.L. Johns, P. Zhang, Boundary vertices in graphs, Discrete Math. 263 (2003) 25-34] does not hold for one of the cases, we establish a realization theorem that not only corrects the mentioned wrong statement but also improves it.Given S⊆V(G), its geodetic closure I[S] is the set of all vertices lying on some shortest path joining two vertices of S. We prove that the boundary vertex set ∂(G) of any graph G is geodetic, that is, I[∂(G)]=V(G). A vertex v belongs to the contour Ct(G) of G if no neighbor of v has an eccentricity greater than v. We present some sufficient conditions to guarantee the geodeticity of either the contour Ct(G) or its geodetic closure I[Ct(G)].     

Convexity in oriented graphs

For vertices u and v in an oriented graph D, the closed interval I[u,v] consists of u and v together with all vertices lying in a u−v geodesic or v−u geodesic in D. For S⊆V(D), I[S] is the union of all closed intervals I[u,v] with u,v∈S. A set S is convex if I[S]=S. The convexity number con(D) is the maximum cardinality of a proper convex set of V(D). The nontrivial connected oriented graphs of order n with convexity number n−1 are characterized. It is shown that there is no connected oriented graph of order at least 4 with convexity number 2 and that every pair k, n of integers with 1⩽k⩽n−1 and k≠2 is realizable as the convexity number and order, respectively, of some connected oriented graph. For a nontrivial connected graph G, the lower orientable convexity number con⁻(G) is the minimum convexity number among all orientations of G and the upper orientable convexity number con⁺(G) is the maximum such convexity number. It is shown that con⁺(G)=n−1 for every graph G of order n⩾2. The lower orientable convexity numbers of some well-known graphs are determined, with special attention given to outerplanar graphs.     

An efficient condition for a graph to be Hamiltonian

Let G=(V,E) be a 2-connected simple graph and let d_G(u,v) denote the distance between two vertices u,v in G. In this paper, it is proved: if the inequality d_G(u)+d_G(v)?|V(G)|-1 holds for each pair of vertices u and v with d_G(u,v)=2, then G is Hamiltonian, unless G belongs to an exceptional class of graphs. The latter class is described in this paper. Our result implies the theorem of Ore [Note on Hamilton circuits, Amer. Math. Monthly 67 (1960) 55]. However, it is not included in the theorem of Fan [New sufficient conditions for cycles in graph, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 37 (1984) 221-227].     

Subpancyclicity of line graphs and degree sums along paths

A graph is called subpancyclic if it contains a cycle of length ? for each ? between 3 and the circumference of the graph. We show that if G is a connected graph on n?146 vertices such that d(u)+d(v)+d(x)+d(y)>(n+10/2) for all four vertices u,v,x,y of any path P=uvxy in G, then the line graph L(G) is subpancyclic, unless G is isomorphic to an exceptional graph. Moreover, we show that this result is best possible, even under the assumption that L(G) is hamiltonian. This improves earlier sufficient conditions by a multiplicative factor rather than an additive constant.     

Extreme Geodesic Graphs

For two vertices u and v of a graph G, the closed interval I[u, v] consists of u, v, and all vertices lying in some u–v geodesic of G, while for S V(G), the set I[S] is the union of all sets I[u, v] for u, v S. A set S of vertices of G for which I[S] = V(G) is a geodetic set for G, and the minimum cardinality of a geodetic set is the geodetic number g(G). A vertex v in G is an extreme vertex if the subgraph induced by its neighborhood is complete. The number of extreme vertices in G is its extreme order ex(G). A graph G is an extreme geodesic graph if g(G) = ex(G), that is, if every vertex lies on a u–v geodesic for some pair u, v of extreme vertices. It is shown that every pair a, b of integers with 0 a b is realizable as the extreme order and geodetic number, respectively, of some graph. For positive integers r, d, and k 2, it is shown that there exists an extreme geodesic graph G of radius r, diameter d, and geodetic number k. Also, for integers n, d, and k with 2 d > n, 2 k > n, and n – d – k + 1 0, there exists a connected extreme geodesic graph G of order n, diameter d, and geodetic number k. We show that every graph of order n with geodetic number n – 1 is an extreme geodesic graph. On the other hand, for every pair k, n of integers with 2 k n – 2, there exists a connected graph of order n with geodetic number k that is not an extreme geodesic graph.     

The Forcing Convexity Number of a Graph

For two vertices u and v of a connected graph G, the set I(u,v) consists of all those vertices lying on a u-v geodesic in G. For a set S of vertices of G, the union of all sets I(u,v) for u, v S is denoted by I(S). A set S is a convex set if I(S) = S. The convexity number con(G) of G is the maximum cardinality of a proper convex set of G. A convex set S in G with |S| = con(G) is called a maximum convex set. A subset T of a maximum convex set S of a connected graph G is called a forcing subset for S if S is the unique maximum convex set containing T. The forcing convexity number f(S, con) of S is the minimum cardinality among the forcing subsets for S, and the forcing convexity number f(G, con) of G is the minimum forcing convexity number among all maximum convex sets of G. The forcing convexity numbers of several classes of graphs are presented, including complete bipartite graphs, trees, and cycles. For every graph G, f(G, con) con(G). It is shown that every pair a, b of integers with 0 a b and b is realizable as the forcing convexity number and convexity number, respectively, of some connected graph. The forcing convexity number of the Cartesian product of H × K ₂ for a nontrivial connected graph H is studied.     

On minimum secure dominating sets of graphs

A subset X of the vertex set of a graph G is a secure dominating set of G if X is a dominating set of G and if, for each vertex u not in X, there is a neighbouring vertex v of u in X such that the swap set (X/{v}) ? {u} is again a dominating set of G, in which case v is called a defender. The secure domination number of G is the cardinality of a smallest secure dominating set of G. In this paper, we show that every graph of minimum degree at least 2 possesses a minimum secure dominating set in which all vertices are defenders. We also characterise the classes of graphs that have secure domination numbers 1, 2 and 3.     

Halving Steiner 2-designs

A Steiner 2-design S(2,k,v) is said to be halvable if the block set can be partitioned into two isomorphic sets. This is equivalent to an edge-disjoint decomposition of a self-complementary graph G on v vertices into K_ks. The obvious necessary condition of those orders v for which there exists a halvable S(2,k,v) is that v admits the existence of an S(2,k,v) with an even number of blocks. In this paper, we give an asymptotic solution for various block sizes. We prove that for any k?5 or any Mersenne prime k, there is a constant number v₀ such that if v>v₀ and v satisfies the above necessary condition, then there exists a halvable S(2,k,v). We also show that a halvable S(2,2ⁿ,v) exists for over a half of possible orders. Some recursive constructions generating infinitely many new halvable Steiner 2-designs are also presented.     

A note on the weakly convex and convex domination numbers of a torus

The distanced_G(u,v) between two vertices u and v in a connected graph G is the length of the shortest (u,v) path in G. A (u,v) path of length d_G(u,v) is called a (u,v)-geodesic. A set X⊆V is called weakly convex in G if for every two vertices a,b∈X, exists an (a,b)-geodesic, all of whose vertices belong to X. A set X is convex in G if for all a,b∈X all vertices from every (a,b)-geodesic belong to X. The weakly convex domination number of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a weakly convex dominating set of G, while the convex domination number of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a convex dominating set of G. In this paper we consider weakly convex and convex domination numbers of tori.     

Unoriented Laplacian maximizing graphs are degree maximal

A connected graph is said to be unoriented Laplacian maximizing if the spectral radius of its unoriented Laplacian matrix attains the maximum among all connected graphs with the same number of vertices and the same number of edges. A graph is said to be threshold (maximal) if its degree sequence is not majorized by the degree sequence of any other graph (and, in addition, the graph is connected). It is proved that an unoriented Laplacian maximizing graph is maximal and also that there are precisely two unoriented Laplacian maximizing graphs of a given order and with nullity 3. Our treatment depends on the following known characterization: a graph G is threshold (maximal) if and only if for every pair of vertices u,v of G, the sets N(u)?{v},N(v)?{u}, where N(u) denotes the neighbor set of u in G, are comparable with respect to the inclusion relation (and, in addition, the graph is connected). A conjecture about graphs that maximize the unoriented Laplacian matrix among all graphs with the same number of vertices and the same number of edges is also posed.     

Greedy F-colorings of graphs

Let G=(V,E) be a connected graph. For a symmetric, integer-valued function δ on V×V, where K is an integer constant, N₀ is the set of nonnegative integers, and Z is the set of integers, we define a C-mapping by F(u,v,m)=δ(u,v)+m−K. A coloring c of G is an F-coloring if F(u,v,|c(u)−c(v)|)?0 for every two distinct vertices u and v of G. The maximum color assigned by c to a vertex of G is the value of c, and the F-chromatic number F(G) is the minimum value among all F-colorings of G. For an ordering of the vertices of G, a greedy F-coloring c of s is defined by (1) c(v₁)=1 and (2) for each i with 1?i<n, c(v_i+1) is the smallest positive integer p such that F(v_j,v_i+1,|c(v_j)−p|)?0, for each j with 1?j?i. The greedy F-chromatic number gF(s) of s is the maximum color assigned by c to a vertex of G. The greedy F-chromatic number of G is gF(G)=min{gF(s)} over all orderings s of V. The Grundy F-chromatic number is GF(G)=max{gF(s)} over all orderings s of V. It is shown that gF(G)=F(G) for every graph G and every F-coloring defined on G. The parameters gF(G) and GF(G) are studied and compared for a special case of the C-mapping F on a connected graph G, where δ(u,v) is the distance between u and v and .