Minimally (k,k)‐edge‐connected graphs

For an integer l > 1, the l‐edge‐connectivity of a connected graph with at least l vertices is the smallest number of edges whose removal results in a graph with l components. A connected graph G is (k, l)‐edge‐connected if the l‐edge‐connectivity of G is at least k. In this paper, we present a structural characterization of minimally (k, k)‐edge‐connected graphs. As a result, former characterizations of minimally (2, 2)‐edge‐connected graphs in [J of Graph Theory 3 (1979), 15–22] are extended. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 44: 116–131, 2003     

A class of symmetric graphs with 2‐arc transitive quotients

Let Γ be an X‐symmetric graph admitting an X‐invariant partition ?? on V(Γ) such that Γ_?? is connected and (X, 2)‐arc transitive. A characterization of (Γ, X, ??) was given in [S. Zhou Eur J Comb 23 (2002), 741–760] for the case where |B|>|Γ(C)∩B|=2 for an arc (B, C) of Γ_??.We con‐sider in this article the case where |B|>|Γ(C)∩B|=3, and prove that Γ can be constructed from a 2‐arc transitive graph of valency 4 or 7 unless its connected components are isomorphic to 3 K ₂, C ₆ or K _{3, 3}. As a byproduct, we prove that each connected tetravalent (X, 2)‐transitive graph is either the complete graph K ₅ or a near n‐gonal graph for some n?4. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 65: 232–245, 2010     

On 2‐factors of a bipartite graph

In this article, we consider the following problem: Given a bipartite graph G and a positive integer k, when does G have a 2‐factor with exactly k components? We will prove that if G = (V₁, V₂, E) is a bipartite graph with |V₁| = |V₂| = n ≥ 2k + 1 and δ (G) ≥ ⌈n/2⌉ + 1, then G contains a 2‐factor with exactly k components. We conjecture that if G = (V₁, V₂; E) is a bipartite graph such that |V₁| = |V₂| = n ≥ 2 and δ (G) ≥ ⌈n/2⌉ + 1, then, for any bipartite graph H = (U₁, U₂; F) with |U₁| ≤ n, |U₂| ≤ n and Δ (H) ≤ 2, G contains a subgraph isomorphic to H. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 31: 101–106, 1999     

Expanders obtained from affine transformations

A bipartite graphG=(U, V, E) is an (n, k, δ, α) expander if |U|=|V|=n, |E|≦kn, and for anyX⊆U with |X|≦αn, |Γ _G (X)|≧(1+δ(1−|X|/n)) |X|, whereΓ _G (X) is the set of nodes inV connected to nodes inX with edges inE. We show, using relatively elementary analysis in linear algebra, that the problem of estimating the coefficientδ of a bipartite graph is reduced to that of estimating the second largest eigenvalue of a matrix related to the graph. In particular, we consider the case where the bipartite graphs are defined from affine transformations, and obtain some general results on estimating the eigenvalues of the matrix by using the discrete Fourier transform. These results are then used to estimate the expanding coefficients of bipartite graphs obtained from two-dimensional affine transformations and those obtained from one-dimensional ones.     

Mader’s Conjecture On Extremely Critical Graphs

A non-complete graph G is called an (n,k)-graph if it is n-connected but G—X is not (n−|X|+1)-connected for any X ⊂V (G) with |X|≤k. Mader conjectured that for k≥3 the graph K_2k+2−(1−factor) is the unique (2k,k)-graph(up to isomorphism). Here we prove this conjecture.     

The average Steiner distance of a graph

The average distance μ(G) of a graph G is the average among the distances between all pairs of vertices in G. For n ≥ 2, the average Steiner n-distance μ_n(G) of a connected graph G is the average Steiner distance over all sets of n vertices in G. It is shown that for a connected weighted graph G, μ_n(G) ≤ μ_k(G) + μ_n+1−k(G) where 2 ≤ k ≤ n − 1. The range for the average Steiner n-distance of a connected graph G in terms of n and |V(G)| is established. Moreover, for a tree T and integer k, 2 ≤ k ≤ n − 1, it is shown that μ_n(T) ≤ (n/k)μ_k(T) and the range for μ_n(T) in terms of n and |V(T)| is established. Two efficient algorithms for finding the average Steiner n-distance of a tree are outlined. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On packing 3‐vertex paths in a graph

Let G be a connected graph and let eb(G) and λ(G) denote the number of end‐blocks and the maximum number of disjoint 3‐vertex paths Λ in G. We prove the following theorems on claw‐free graphs: (t1) if G is claw‐free and eb(G) ≤ 2 (and in particular, G is 2‐connected) then λ(G) = ⌊| V(G)|/3⌋; (t2) if G is claw‐free and eb(G) ≥ 2 then λ(G) ≥ ⌊(| V(G) | − eb(G) + 2)/3 ⌋; and (t3) if G is claw‐free and Δ^*‐free then λ(G) = ⌊| V(G) |/3⌋ (here Δ^* is a graph obtained from a triangle Δ by attaching to each vertex a new dangling edge). We also give the following sufficient condition for a graph to have a Λ‐factor: Let n and p be integers, 1 ≤ p ≤ n − 2, G a 2‐connected graph, and |V(G)| = 3n. Suppose that G − S has a Λ‐factor for every S ⊆ V(G) such that |S| = 3p and both V(G) − S and S induce connected subgraphs in G. Then G has a Λ‐factor. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 36: 175–197, 2001     

Tetravalent half‐edge‐transitive graphs and non‐normal Cayley graphs

Let X be a vertex‐transitive graph, that is, the automorphism group Aut(X) of X is transitive on the vertex set of X. The graph X is said to be symmetric if Aut(X) is transitive on the arc set of X. suppose that Aut(X) has two orbits of the same length on the arc set of X. Then X is said to be half‐arc‐transitive or half‐edge‐transitive if Aut(X) has one or two orbits on the edge set of X, respectively. Stabilizers of symmetric and half‐arc‐transitive graphs have been investigated by many authors. For example, see Tutte [Canad J Math 11 (1959), 621–624] and Conder and Maru?i? [J Combin Theory Ser B 88 (2003), 67–76]. It is trivial to construct connected tetravalent symmetric graphs with arbitrarily large stabilizers, and by Maru?i? [Discrete Math 299 (2005), 180–193], connected tetravalent half‐arc‐transitive graphs can have arbitrarily large stabilizers. In this article, we show that connected tetravalent half‐edge‐transitive graphs can also have arbitrarily large stabilizers. A Cayley graph Cay(G, S) on a group G is said to be normal if the right regular representation R(G) of G is normal in Aut(Cay(G, S)). There are only a few known examples of connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs on non‐abelian simple groups. In this article, we give a sufficient condition for non‐normal Cayley graphs and by using the condition, infinitely many connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs are constructed. As an application, all connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs on the alternating group A₆ are determined. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory     

Some results on generalized exponents

A digraph G = (V, E) is primitive if, for some positive integer k, there is a u → v walk of length k for every pair u, v of vertices of V. The minimum such k is called the exponent of G, denoted exp(G). The exponent of a vertex u ∈ V, denoted exp(u), is the least integer k such that there is a u → v walk of length k for each v ∈ V. For a set X ⊆ V, exp(X) is the least integer k such that for each v ∈ V there is a X → v walk of length k, i.e., a u → v walk of length k for some u ∈ X. Let F(G, k) : = max{exp(X) : |X| = k} and F(n, k) : = max{F(G, k) : |V| = n}, where |X| and |V| denote the number of vertices in X and V, respectively. Recently, B. Liu and Q. Li proved F(n, k) = (n − k)(n − 1) + 1 for all 1 ≤ k ≤ n − 1. In this article, for each k, 1 ≤ k ≤ n − 1, we characterize the digraphs G such that F(G, k) = F(n, k), thereby answering a question of R. Brualdi and B. Liu. We also find some new upper bounds on the (ordinary) exponent of G in terms of the maximum outdegree of G, Δ⁺(G) = max{d⁺(u) : u ∈ V}, and thus obtain a new refinement of the Wielandt bound (n − 1)² + 1. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 28: 215–225, 1998     

Induced matching extendable graphs

We say that a simple graph G is induced matching extendable, shortly IM-extendable, if every induced matching of G is included in a perfect matching of G. The main results of this paper are as follows: (1) For every connected IM-extendable graph G with |V(G)| ≥ 4, the girth g(G) ≤ 4. (2) If G is a connected IM-extendable graph, then |E(G)| ≥ ${3\over 2}|V(G)| - 2$; the equality holds if and only if G ≅ T × K₂, where T is a tree. (3) The only 3-regular connected IM-extendable graphs are C_n × K₂, for n ≥ 3, and C_2n(1, n), for n ≥ 2, where C_2n(1, n) is the graph with 2n vertices x₀, x₁, …, x_2n−1, such that x_ix_j is an edge of C_2n(1, n) if either |i − j| ≡ 1 (mod 2n) or |i − j| ≡ n (mod 2n). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 28: 203–213, 1998     

Extremal results for rooted minor problems

In this article, we consider the following problem. Given four distinct vertices v₁,v₂,v₃,v₄. How many edges guarantee the existence of seven connected disjoint subgraphs X_i for i = 1,…, 7 such that X_j contains v_j for j = 1, 2, 3, 4 and for j = 1, 2, 3, 4, X_j has a neighbor to each X_k with k = 5, 6, 7. This is the so called “rooted K_{3, 4}‐minor problem.” There are only few known results on rooted minor problems, for example, [15,6]. In this article, we prove that a 4‐connected graph with n vertices and at least 5n ? 14 edges has a rooted K_3,4‐minor. In the proof we use a lemma on graphs with 9 vertices, proved by computer search. We also consider the similar problems concerning rooted K_3,3‐minor problem, and rooted K_3,2‐minor problem. More precisely, the first theorem says that if G is 3‐connected and e(G) ≥ 4|G| ? 9 then G has a rooted K_3,3‐minor, and the second theorem says that if G is 2‐connected and e(G) ≥ 13/5|G| ? 17/5 then G has a rooted K_3,2‐minor. In the second case, the extremal function for the number of edges is best possible. These results are then used in the proof of our forthcoming articles 7 , 8 . © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 55: 191–207, 2007     

Antimagic labelling of vertex weighted graphs

Suppose G is a graph, k is a non‐negative integer. We say G is k‐antimagic if there is an injection f: E→{1, 2, …, |E| + k} such that for any two distinct vertices u and v, . We say G is weighted‐k‐antimagic if for any vertex weight function w: V→?, there is an injection f: E→{1, 2, …, |E| + k} such that for any two distinct vertices u and v, . A well‐known conjecture asserts that every connected graph G≠K₂ is 0‐antimagic. On the other hand, there are connected graphs G≠K₂ which are not weighted‐1‐antimagic. It is unknown whether every connected graph G≠K₂ is weighted‐2‐antimagic. In this paper, we prove that if G has a universal vertex, then G is weighted‐2‐antimagic. If G has a prime number of vertices and has a Hamiltonian path, then G is weighted‐1‐antimagic. We also prove that every connected graph G≠K₂ on n vertices is weighted‐ ?3n/2?‐antimagic. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory     

There Exist Highly Critically Connected Graphs of Diameter Three

Let κ(G) denote the (vertex) connectivity of a graph G. For ℓ≥0, a noncomplete graph of finite connectivity is called ℓ-critical if κ(G−X)=κ(G)−|X| for every X⊆V(G) with |X|≤ℓ. Mader proved that every 3-critical graph has diameter at most 4 and asked for 3-critical graphs having diameter exceeding 2. Here we give an affirmative answer by constructing an ℓ-critical graph of diameter 3 for every ℓ≥3.     

Smallest close to regular bipartite graphs without an almost perfect matching

A graph G is close to regular or more precisely a （d, d ＋ k）-graph, if the degree of each vertex of G is between d and d ＋ k. Let d ≥ 2 be an integer, and let G be a connected bipartite （d, d＋k）-graph with partite sets X and Y such that ｜X｜- ｜Y｜＋1. If G is of order n without an almost perfect matching, then we show in this paper that·n ≥ 6d ＋7 when k = 1,·n ≥ 4d＋ 5 when k = 2,·n ≥ 4d＋3 when k≥3.Examples will demonstrate that the given bounds on the order of G are the best possible.     

Cycles containing all vertices of maximum degree

For a graph G and an integer k, denote by V_k the set {v ∈ V(G) | d(v) ≥ k}. Veldman proved that if G is a 2-connected graph of order n with n ≤ 3k - 2 and |V_k| ≤ k, then G has a cycle containing all vertices of V_k. It is shown that the upper bound k on |V_k| is close to best possible in general. For the special case k = δ(G), it is conjectured that the condition |V_k| ≤ k can be omitted. Using a variation of Woodall's Hopping Lemma, the conjecture is proved under the additional condition that n ≤ 2δ(G) + δ(G) + 1. This result is an almost-generalization of Jackson's Theorem that every 2-connected k-regular graph of order n with n ≤ 3k is hamiltonian. An alternative proof of an extension of Jackson's Theorem is also presented. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Matching graphs

The matching graph M(G) of a graph G is that graph whose vertices are the maximum matchings in G and where two vertices M₁ and M₂ of M(G) are adjacent if and only if |M₁ − M₂| = 1. When M(G) is connected, this graph models a metric space whose metric is defined on the set of maximum matchings in G. Which graphs are matching graphs of some graph is not known in general. We determine several forbidden induced subgraphs of matching graphs and add even cycles to the list of known matching graphs. In another direction, we study the behavior of sequences of iterated matching graphs. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 29: 73–86, 1998     

Connected subgraphs with small degree sums in 3‐connected planar graphs

It is well‐known that every planar graph has a vertex of degree at most five. Kotzig proved that every 3‐connected planar graph has an edge xy such that deg(x) + deg (y) ≤ 13. In this article, considering a similar problem for the case of three or more vertices that induce a connected subgraph, we show that, for a given positive integer t, every 3‐connected planar graph G with |V(G)| ≥ t has a connected subgraph H of order t such that Σ_x∈V(H) deg_G(x) ≤ 8t − 1. As a tool for proving this result, we consider decompositions of 3‐connected planar graphs into connected subgraphs of order at least t and at most 2t − 1. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 30: 191–203, 1999     

3‐Factor‐Criticality of Vertex‐Transitive Graphs

A graph of order n is p ‐factor‐critical, where p is an integer of the same parity as n, if the removal of any set of p vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. 1‐factor‐critical graphs and 2‐factor‐critical graphs are factor‐critical graphs and bicritical graphs, respectively. It is well known that every connected vertex‐transitive graph of odd order is factor‐critical and every connected nonbipartite vertex‐transitive graph of even order is bicritical. In this article, we show that a simple connected vertex‐transitive graph of odd order at least five is 3‐factor‐critical if and only if it is not a cycle.     

Super Restricted Edge Connectivity of Regular Graphs

An edge cut of a connected graph is called restricted if it separates this graph into components each having order at least 2; a graph G is super restricted edge connected if G−S contains an isolated edge for every minimum restricted edge cut S of G. It is proved in this paper that k-regular connected graph G is super restricted edge connected if k > |V(G)|/2+1. The lower bound on k is exemplified to be sharp to some extent. With this observation, we determined the number of edge cuts of size at most 2k−2 of these graphs. Supported by NNSF of China (10271105); Ministry of Science and Technology of Fujian (2003J036); Education Ministry of Fujian (JA03147)     

Det‐extremal cubic bipartite graphs

Let G be a connected k–regular bipartite graph with bipartition V(G) = X ∪ Y and adjacency matrix A. We say G is det‐extremal if per (A) = |det(A)|. Det–extremal k–regular bipartite graphs exist only for k = 2 or 3. McCuaig has characterized the det‐extremal 3‐connected cubic bipartite graphs. We extend McCuaig's result by determining the structure of det‐extremal cubic bipartite graphs of connectivity two. We use our results to determine which numbers can occur as orders of det‐extremal connected cubic bipartite graphs, thus solving a problem due to H. Gropp. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 44: 50–64, 2003