Perfect Matchings and Perfect Powers

In the last decade there have been many results about special families of graphs whose number of perfect matchings is given by perfect or near perfect powers (N. Elkies et al., J. Algebraic Combin. 1 (1992), 111–132; B.-Y. Yang, Ph.D. thesis, Department of Mathematics, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 1991; J. Propp, New Perspectives in Geometric Combinatorics, Cambridge University Press, 1999). In this paper we present an approach that allows proving them in a unified way. We use this approach to prove a conjecture of James Propp stating that the number of tilings of the so-called Aztec dungeon regions is a power (or twice a power) of 13. We also prove a conjecture of Matt Blum stating that the number of perfect matchings of a certain family of subgraphs of the square lattice is a power of 3 or twice a power of 3. In addition we obtain multi-parameter generalizations of previously known results, and new multi-parameter exact enumeration results. We obtain in particular a simple combinatorial proof of Bo-Yin Yang's multivariate generalization of fortresses, a result whose previously known proof was quite complicated, amounting to evaluation of the Kasteleyn matrix by explicit row reduction. We also include a new multivariate exact enumeration of Aztec diamonds, in the spirit of Stanley's multivariate version.     

多边形链图中的完美匹配数

多边形链图的完美匹配数（即多边形碳氢链状聚合物的Ｋｅｋｕｌｅ结构数）是数学化学研究的重要内容之一。我们给出了一个求该数的简洁算法,并证明该数是一个多项式。做为应用,对于一类特殊的多边形链图,给出了具体的表达式。     

On Perfect Ternary Constant Weight Codes

We consider the space of ternary words of length n and fixed weight w with the usual Hamming distance. A sequence of perfect single error correcting codes in this space is constructed. We prove the nonexistence of such codes with other parameters than those of the sequence.     

对称群上Cayley图的条件匹配排除数

一个图的条件匹配排除数是最少的边的数量,使得从图中删除这些边后形成的图既没有孤立点,也没有完美匹配和几乎完美匹配.条件匹配排除数是衡量网络在边故障情况下的鲁棒性的参数之一.本文给出了对称群上Cayley图的条件匹配排除数.     

Graphs of Triangulations and Perfect Matchings

Given a set P of points in general position in the plane, the graph of triangulations of P has a vertex for every triangulation of P, and two of them are adjacent if they differ by a single edge exchange. We prove that the subgraph of , consisting of all triangulations of P that admit a perfect matching, is connected. A main tool in our proof is a result of independent interest, namely that the graph that has as vertices the non-crossing perfect matchings of P and two of them are adjacent if their symmetric difference is a single non-crossing cycle, is also connected.     

Computing a Minimum Weight Triangulation of a Sparse Point Set*

Investigating the minimum weight triangulation of a point set with constraint is an important approach for seeking the ultimate solution of the minimum weight triangulation problem. In this paper, we consider the minimum weight triangulation of a sparse point set, and present an O(n ⁴) algorithm to compute a triangulation of such a set. The property of sparse point set can be converted into a new sufficient condition for finding subgraphs of the minimum weight triangulation. A special point set is exhibited to show that our new subgraph of minimum weight triangulation cannot be found by any currently known methods.     

一类二部图的几乎完美匹配数

图 的一个 匹配称 为几 乎完美 匹配,若 它覆 盖了一 个顶点 以外 的所有 顶点． 本文 给出具 正 Ｓｕｒｐ ｌｕ ｓ二部图有 Ｖ（ Ｇ）＋ １个几乎 完美匹配的两个 充要条件     

导出匹配,极大导出匹配可扩图和导出匹配数

目前我们已知的极大导出匹配可扩图只有Kn,n和K2n.为了研究它们是否是仅有的极大导出匹配可扩图,我们考虑了匹配数,导出匹配数,极大导出匹配可扩图以及一个相关的猜想,并得出了若干相关的结果.     

On Extracting Maximum Stable Sets in Perfect Graphs Using Lovász's Theta Function

We study the maximum stable set problem. For a given graph, we establish several transformations among feasible solutions of different formulations of Lovász's theta function. We propose reductions from feasible solutions corresponding to a graph to those corresponding to its induced subgraphs. We develop an efficient, polynomial-time algorithm to extract a maximum stable set in a perfect graph using the theta function. Our algorithm iteratively transforms an approximate solution of the semidefinite formulation of the theta function into an approximate solution of another formulation, which is then used to identify a vertex that belongs to a maximum stable set. The subgraph induced by that vertex and its neighbors is removed and the same procedure is repeated on successively smaller graphs. We establish that solving the theta problem up to an adaptively chosen, fairly rough accuracy suffices in order for the algorithm to work properly. Furthermore, our algorithm successfully employs a warm-start strategy to recompute the theta function on smaller subgraphs. Computational results demonstrate that our algorithm can efficiently extract maximum stable sets in comparable time it takes to solve the theta problem on the original graph to optimality. This work was supported in part by NSF through CAREER Grant DMI-0237415. Part of this work was performed while the first author was at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statisticsat Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.     

On the Upper Bounds of the Numbers of Perfect Matchings in Graphs with Given Parameters

Let φ(G),κ(G),α(G),χ(G),cl(G),diam(G)denote the number of perfect matchings,connectivity,independence number,chromatic number,clique number and diameter of a graph G,respectively.In this note,by constructing some extremal graphs,the following extremal problems are solved:1.max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,κ(G)≤k}=k[(2n-3)!!],2.max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,α(G)≥k}=[multiply from i=0 to k-1(2n-k-i)[(2n-2k-1)!!],3.max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,χ(G)≤k}=φ(T_(k,2n))T_(k,2n)is the Turán graph,that is a complete k-partite graphon 2n vertices in which all parts are as equal in size as possible,4.max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,cl(G)=2}=n1,5.max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,diam(G)≥2}=(2n-2)(2n-3)[(2n-5)!!],max{φ(G):|V(G)|=2n,diam(G)≥3}=(n-1)~2[(2n-5)!!].     

On the Maximum Number of Edges in Topological Graphs with no Four Pairwise Crossing Edges

A topological graph is called k -quasi-planar if it does not contain k pairwise crossing edges. It is conjectured that for every fixed k, the maximum number of edges in a k-quasi-planar graph on n vertices is O(n). We provide an affirmative answer to the case k=4.     

The Strong Perfect Graph Conjecture: 40 years of attempts, and its resolution

The Strong Perfect Graph Conjecture (SPGC) was certainly one of the most challenging conjectures in graph theory. During more than four decades, numerous attempts were made to solve it, by combinatorial methods, by linear algebraic methods, or by polyhedral methods. The first of these three approaches yielded the first (and to date only) proof of the SPGC; the other two remain promising to consider in attempting an alternative proof.This paper is an unbalanced survey of the attempts to solve the SPGC; unbalanced, because (1) we devote a significant part of it to the ‘primitive graphs and structural faults’ paradigm which led to the Strong Perfect Graph Theorem (SPGT); (2) we briefly present the other “direct” attempts, that is, those for which results exist showing one (possible) way to the proof; (3) we ignore entirely the “indirect” approaches whose aim was to get more information about the properties and structure of perfect graphs, without a direct impact on the SPGC.Our aim in this paper is to trace the path that led to the proof of the SPGT as completely as possible. Of course, this implies large overlaps with the recent book on perfect graphs [J.L. Ramirez-Alfonsin, B.A. Reed (Eds.), Perfect Graphs, Wiley & Sons, 2001], but it also implies a deeper analysis (with additional results) and another viewpoint on the topic.     

On the Maximum Matching Graph of a Graph

1IntroductionMatchingtheory,aswellastheassignmentprobleminlinearprogramming,hasawiderangeofapplicationinthetheoryandpracticeofoperationsresearch.Bysomepracticalmotivations,e.g.,forfindingalloptimalsolutions,peoplewanttoknowthestructurepropertiesofallmaximummatchingsofagraphG.InthecasethatGhasperfectmatchings,extensiveworkhasbeendoneontheso-calledperfectmatChinggrape(or1-factorgraph),inwhichtwoperfectmatchingsMIandMZaresaidtobeadjacentifMI~MZ@E(C)whereCisanMI-alternatingcycleofG.Therewer…     

On the Number of Group-Weighted Matchings

Let G be a bipartite graph with a bicoloration {A,B}, |A|=|B|. Let E(G) A x B denote the edge set of G, and let m(G) denote the number of perfect matchings of G. Let K be a (multiplicative) finite abelsian group |K| = k, and let w:E(G) K be a weight assignment on the edges of G. FOr S E(G) let w(S) = _eSw(e). A perfect matching M of G is a w-matching if w(M)=1. We shall be interested in m(G,w), the number of w-matchings of G.It is shown that if deg(a) d for all a A, then either G has no w-matchings, or G has at least (d - k + 1)! w-matchings.     

The equivalence of two conjectures of Berge and Fulkerson

Let G be a bridgeless cubic graph. Fulkerson conjectured that there exist six 1‐factors of G such that each edge of G is contained in exactly two of them. Berge conjectured that the edge‐set of G can be covered with at most five 1‐factors. We prove that the two conjectures are equivalent. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 68:125‐128, 2011     

A Distributive Lattice on the Set of Perfect Matchings of a Plane Bipartite Graph

Let G be a plane bipartite graph and M(G) the set of perfect matchings of G. The Z-transformation graph of G is defined as a graph on M(G): M,MM(G) are joined by an edge if and only if they differ only in one cycle that is the boundary of an inner face of G. A property that a certain orientation of the Z-transformation graph of G is acyclic implies a partially ordered relation on M(G). An equivalent definition of the poset M(G) is discussed in detail. If G is elementary, the following main results are obtained in this article: the poset M(G) is a finite distributive lattice, and its Hasse diagram is isomorphic to the Z-transformation digraph of G. Further, a distributive lattice structure is established on the set of perfect matchings of any plane bipartite graph.     

Note – On the Number of Triangulations of Planar Point Sets

n points in the plane is at most . Received: November 1, 1995     

On the Nullity of Bipartite Graphs

The nullity of a graph is the multiplicity of the eigenvalue zero in its spectrum. We obtain some lower bounds for the nullity of graphs and we then find the nullity of bipartite graphs with no cycle of length a multiple of 4 as a subgraph. Among bipartite graphs on n vertices, the star has the greatest nullity (equal to n − 2). We generalize this by showing that among bipartite graphs with n vertices, e edges and maximum degree Δ which do not have any cycle of length a multiple of 4 as a subgraph, the greatest nullity is . G. R. Omidi: This research was in part supported by a grant from IPM (No.87050016).     

黑白顶点数目相等的无完美匹配四角系统

四角系统是一个二部图，二部图有完美匹配的一个必要条件是对其顶点进行正常着色后，两个色类所含的顶点数相等，然而这一条件并不充分，本文利用构造法证明了两个色类所含顶点数相等却无完美匹配的四角系统的最小阶数是14，并且只有3种非同构的形状，由本文的方法还可以进一步构造出15阶和16阶无完美匹配四角系统的所有非同构形状，它们的数目分别是22与155。