Constraints on the number of maximal independent sets in graphs

A maximal independent set of a graph G is an independent set that is not contained properly in any other independent set of G. Let i(G) denote the number of maximal independent sets of G. Here, we prove two conjectures, suggested by P. Erdös, that the maximum number of maximal independent sets among all graphs of order n in a family Φ is o(3^n/3) if Φ is either a family of connected graphs such that the largest value of maximum degrees among all graphs of order n in Φ is o(n) or a family of graphs such that the approaches infinity as n → ∞.