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.     

Degree-Continuous Graphs

A graph G is degree-continuous if the degrees of every two adjacent vertices of G differ by at most 1. A finite nonempty set S of integers is convex if k S for every integer k with min(S)kmax(S). It is shown that for all integers r > 0 and s 0 and a convex set S with min(S) = r and max(S) = r+s, there exists a connected degree-continuous graph G with the degree set S and diameter 2s+2. The minimum order of a degree-continuous graph with a prescribed degree set is studied. Furthermore, it is shown that for every graph G and convex set S of positive integers containing the integer 2, there exists a connected degree-continuous graph H with the degree set S and containing G as an induced subgraph if and only if max(S)(G) and G contains no r-regular component where r = max(S).     

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.     

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     

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].     

Some Remarks on the Convexity Number of a Graph

Given a subgraph H in a graph G, we say H is convex if given any two vertices u and v in H, then H contains each shortest u–v path in G. As defined in [5], [8] and other places the convexity number of G, denoted con(G), is the order of a largest convex proper subgraph of G. We note that if G is not a complete graph, then the clique number of G forms a lower bound on con(G). As we shall see, in many graphs the clique number and convexity number are equal. We exploit this equality to show that computation of con is NP-complete, provide a Nordhaus-Gaddum type bound for con and produce a Ramsey type theorem for con. We shall see the latter two problems are closely related to classical Ramsey theory. In doing so, we answer a problem posed by Chartrand and Zhang in [5]. Acknowledgments.Respectfully dedicated to Professor Edgar M. Palmer, on the happy occasion of his retirement from Michigan State University. Professor Palmer's kind generosity to his students, colleagues and family is deeply appreciated by many. Salmon beware!!!     

On Domination Number of 4-Regular Graphs

Let G be a simple graph. A subset S V is a dominating set of G, if for any vertex v V – S there exists a vertex u S such that uv E(G). The domination number, denoted by (G), is the minimum cardinality of a dominating set. In this paper we prove that if G is a 4-regular graph with order n, then (G) ⁴/₁₁ n     

A note on the independent domination number of subset graph

The independent domination number i(G) (independent number (G)) is the minimum (maximum) cardinality among all maximal independent sets of G. Haviland (1995) conjectured that any connected regular graph G of order n and degree 1/2n satisfies i(G) 2n/3 1/2. For 1 k l m, the subset graph S _m (k, l) is the bipartite graph whose vertices are the k- and l-subsets of an m element ground set where two vertices are adjacent if and only if one subset is contained in the other. In this paper, we give a sharp upper bound for i(S _m (k, l)) and prove that if k + l = m then Havilands conjecture holds for the subset graph S _m (k, l). Furthermore, we give the exact value of (S _m (k, l)).This work was supported by National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (19871036).     

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.     

Graph Connectivity After Path Removal

Let G be a graph and u, v be two distinct vertices of G. A u—v path P is called nonseparating if G—V(P) is connected. The purpose of this paper is to study the number of nonseparating u—v path for two arbitrary vertices u and v of a given graph. For a positive integer k, we will show that there is a minimum integer (k) so that if G is an (k)-connected graph and u and v are two arbitrary vertices in G, then there exist k vertex disjoint paths P ₁[u,v], P ₂[u,v], . . ., P _k [u,v], such that G—V (P _i [u,v]) is connected for every i (i = 1, 2, ..., k). In fact, we will prove that (k) 22k+2. It is known that (1) = 3.. A result of Tutte showed that (2) = 3. We show that (3) = 6. In addition, we prove that if G is a 5-connected graph, then for every pair of vertices u and v there exists a path P[u, v] such that G—V(P[u, v]) is 2-connected.* Supported by NSF grant No. DMS-0070059 Supported by ONR grant N00014-97-1-0499 Supported by NSF grant No. 9531824     

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.     

An upper bound for domination number of 5-regular graphs

Let G = (V, E) be a simple graph. A subset S ⊆ V is a dominating set of G, if for any vertex u ∈ V-S, there exists a vertex v ∈ S such that uv ∈ E. The domination number, denoted by γ(G), is the minimum cardinality of a dominating set. In this paper we will prove that if G is a 5-regular graph, then γ(G) ⩽ 5/14n.     

Complexity results related to monophonic convexity

The study of monophonic convexity is based on the family of induced paths of a graph. The closure of a subset X of vertices, in this case, contains every vertex v such that v belongs to some induced path linking two vertices of X. Such a closure is called monophonic closure. Likewise, the convex hull of a subset is called monophonic convex hull. In this work we deal with the computational complexity of determining important convexity parameters, considered in the context of monophonic convexity. Given a graph G, we focus on three parameters: the size of a maximum proper convex subset of G (m-convexity number); the size of a minimum subset whose closure is equal to V(G) (monophonic number); and the size of a minimum subset whose convex hull is equal to V(G) (m-hull number). We prove that the decision problems corresponding to the m-convexity and monophonic numbers are NP-complete, and we describe a polynomial time algorithm for computing the m-hull number of an arbitrary graph.     

Every 4-connected line graph of a quasi claw-free graph is hamiltonian connected

Let G be a graph. For u,vV(G) with dist_G(u,v)=2, denote J_G(u,v)={wN_G(u)∩N_G(v)|N_G(w)N_G(u)N_G(v){u,v}}. A graph G is called quasi claw-free if J_G(u,v)≠ for any u,vV(G) with dist_G(u,v)=2. In 1986, Thomassen conjectured that every 4-connected line graph is hamiltonian. In this paper we show that every 4-connected line graph of a quasi claw-free graph is hamiltonian connected.     

Lawless order

R. Baer asked whether the group operation of every (totally) ordered group can be redefined, keeping the same ordered set, so that the resulting structure is an Abelian ordered group. The answer is no. We construct an ordered set (G, ) which carries an ordered group (G, , ) but which islawless in the following sense. If (G, *, ) is an ordered group on the same carrier (G, ), then the group (G, *) satisfies no nontrivial equational law.Research partially supported by NSERC of Canada Grants #A4044 and A3040.Research partially supported by NSERC of Canada Grant #U0075.Research partially supported by a grant from the BSF.     

The Domination Parameters of Cubic Graphs

Let ir(G), (G), i(G), ₀(G), (G) and IR(G) be the irredundance number, the domination number, the independent domination number, the independence number, the upper domination number and the upper irredundance number of a graph G, respectively. In this paper we show that for any nonnegative integers k₁, k₂, k₃, k₄, k₅ there exists a cubic graph G satisfying the following conditions: (G) – ir(G) k₁, i(G) – (G) k₂, ₀(G) – i(G) > k₃, (G) – ₀(G) – k₄, and IR(G) – (G) – k₅. This result settles a problem posed in [9].Supported by the INTAS and the Belarus Government (Project INTAS-BELARUS 97-0093).Supported by RUTCOR.     

An algebraic characterization of geodetic graphs

We say that a binary operation * is associated with a (finite undirected) graph G (without loops and multiple edges) if * is defined on V(G) and uv E(G) if and only if u v, u * v = v and v * u = u for any u, v V(G). In the paper it is proved that a connected graph G is geodetic if and only if there exists a binary operation associated with G which fulfils a certain set of four axioms. (This characterization is obtained as an immediate consequence of a stronger result proved in the paper).     

Number of no nisomorphic subgraphs in an n-point graph

LetG(n) be the set of all nonoriented graphs with n enumerated points without loops or multiple lines, and let v_k(G) be the number of mutually nonisomorphic k-point subgraphs of G G(n). It is proved that at least |G(n)| (1–1/n) graphs G G(n) possess the following properties: a) for any k [6log₂n], where c=–c log₂c–(1–c)×log₂(1–c) and c>1/2, we havev _k(G) > C _n ^k (1–1/n²); b) for any k [cn + 5 log₂n] we havev _k(G) = C _n ^k . Hence almost all graphs G G(n) containv(G) 2ⁿ pairwise nonisomorphic subgraphs.Translated from Matematicheskie Zametki, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 263–273, March, 1971.     

An analogue of Hoffman's circulation conditions for max-balanced flows

LetD=(V, A) be a directed graph. A real-valued vectorx defined on the arc setA is amax-balanced flow forD if for every cutW the maximum weight over arcs leavingW equals the maximum weight over arcs enteringW. For vectorslu defined onA, we describe an analogue of Hoffman's circulation conditions for the existence of a max-balanced flowx satisfyinglxu. We describe an algorithm for computing such a vector, but show that minimizing a linear function over the set of max-balanced flows satisfyinglxu is NP-hard. We show that the set of all max-balanced flows satisfyinglxu has a greatest element under the usual coordinate partial order, and we describe an algorithm for computing this element. This allows us to solve several related approximation problems. We also investigate the set of minimal elements under the coordinate partial order. We describe an algorithm for finding a minimal element and show that counting the number of minimal elements is #P-hard. Many of our algorithms exploit the relationship between max-balanced flows and bottleneck paths.Research supported in part by NSF grant DMS 89-05645.Research supported in part by NSF grant ECS 87-18971.     

An Optimal Edge-Robust Identifying Code in the Triangular Lattice

A subset C of vertices in an undirected graph G = (V, E) is called a 1-identifying code if the sets I(v)={u C: d(u,v) 1 }, v V, are non-empty and no two of them are the same set. A 1-identifying code C is called 1-edge-robust 1-identifying if it is 1-identifying in every graph G¹ obtained from G by deleting or adding one edge. It is shown that the optimal density of a 1-edge-robust 1-identifying code in the infinite triangular lattice is 3/7.