The local nature of Δ-coloring and its algorithmic applications

Given a connected graphG=(V, E) with |V|=n and maximum degree such thatG is neither a complete graph nor an odd cycle, Brooks' theorem states thatG can be colored with colors. We generalize this as follows: letG-v be -colored; then,v can be colored by considering the vertices in anO(log n) radius aroundv and by recoloring anO(log n) length augmenting path inside it. Using this, we show that -coloringG is reducible inO(log³ n/log) time to (+1)-vertex coloringG in a distributed model of computation. This leads to fast distributed algorithms and a linear-processorNC algorithm for -coloring.A preliminary version of this paper appeared as part of the paper Improved Distributed Algorithms for Coloring and Network Decomposition Problems, in theProceedings of the ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing pages 581–592, 1992. This research was done when the authors were at the Computer Science Department of Cornell University. The research was supported in part by NSF PYI award CCR-89-96272 with matching funds from UPS and Sun Microsystems.     

On random minimum length spanning trees

We extend and strengthen the result that, in the complete graphK _n with independent random edge-lengths uniformly distributed on [0, 1], the expected length of the minimum spanning tree tends to(3) asn. In particular, ifK _n is replaced by the complete bipartite graphK _{n, n} then there is a corresponding limit of 2 (3).     

Almost Covers Of 2-Arc Transitive Graphs

Let be a G-symmetric graph whose vertex set admits a nontrivial G-invariant partition with block size v. Let be the quotient graph of relative to and [B,C] the bipartite subgraph of induced by adjacent blocks B,C of . In this paper we study such graphs for which is connected, (G, 2)-arc transitive and is almost covered by in the sense that [B,C] is a matching of v-1 2 edges. Such graphs arose as a natural extremal case in a previous study by the author with Li and Praeger. The case K _v+1 is covered by results of Gardiner and Praeger. We consider here the general case where K _v+1, and prove that, for some even integer n 4, is a near n-gonal graph with respect to a certain G-orbit on n-cycles of . Moreover, we prove that every (G, 2)-arc transitive near n-gonal graph with respect to a G-orbit on n-cycles arises as a quotient of a graph with these properties. (A near n-gonal graph is a connected graph of girth at least 4 together with a set of n-cycles of such that each 2-arc of is contained in a unique member of .)     

The Colin de Verdière number and sphere representations of a graph

Colin de Vedière introduced an interesting linear algebraic invariant (G) of graphs. He proved that (G)2 if and only ifG is outerplanar, and (G)3 if and only ifG is planar. We prove that if the complement of a graphG onn nodes is outerplanar, then (G)n–4, and if it is planar, then (G)n–5. We give a full characterization of maximal planar graphs whose complementsG have (G)=n–5. In the opposite direction we show that ifG does not have twin nodes, then (G)n–3 implies that the complement ofG is outerplanar, and (G)n–4 implies that the complement ofG is planar.Our main tools are a geometric formulation of the invariant, and constructing representations of graphs by spheres, related to the classical result of Koebe about representing planar graphs by touching disks. In particular we show that such sphere representations characterize outerplanar and planar graphs.     

Random graphs and covering graphs of posets

For a graph G, we define c(G) to be the minimal number of edges we must delete in order to make G into a covering graph of some poset. We prove that, if p=n ^-1+(n) ,where (n) is bounded away from 0, then there is a constant k ₀>0 such that, for a.e. G _p , c(G _p )k ₀ n ¹⁺⁽ⁿ⁾ .In other words, to make G _p into a covering graph, we must almost surely delete a positive constant proportion of the edges. On the other hand, if p=n ^-1+(n) , where (n)0, thenc(G _p )=o(n ¹⁺⁽ⁿ⁾ ), almost surely.Partially supported by MCS Grant 8104854.     

The partial complement of graphs

For a graphG, the switched graphS _v (G) ofG at a vertexv is the graph obtained fromG by deleting the edges ofG incident withv and adding the edges of incident withv. Properties of graphs whereS _v (G) G or are studied. This concept is extended to the partial complementS _H (G) where H . The investigation here centers around the existence of setsH for whichS _H (G) G. A parameter is introduced which measures how near a graph is to being self-complementary.     

Contractions of graphs with no spanning eulerian subgraphs

Letp2 be a fixed integer, and letG be a connected graph onn vertices. If(G)2, ifd(u)+d(v)>2n/p–2 holds wheneveruvE(G), and ifn is sufficiently large compared top, then eitherG has a spanning eulerian subgraph, orG is contractible to a graphG ₁ of order less thenp and with no spanning eulerian subgraph. The casep=2 was proved by Lesniak-Foster and Williamson. The casep=5 was conjectured by Benhocine, Clark, Köhler, and Veldman, when they proved virtually the casep=3. The inequality is best-possible.     

Some Ramsey-Turán type results for hypergraphs

To everyk-graphG let(G) be the minimal real number such that for every>0 andn>n ₀(,G) everyk-graphH withn vertices and more than (+) ( ) edges contains a copy ofG. The real number (G) is defined in the same way adding the constraint that all independent sets of vertices inH have sizeo(n). Answering a problem of Erds and Sós it is shown that there exist infinitely manyk-graphs with 0<(G)<(G) for everyk3. It is worth noting that we were unable to find a singleG with the above property.This paper was written while the authors were visiting AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ 07974.     

OnK 4-free subgraphs of random graphs

For 0<1 and graphsG andH, writeGH if any -proportion of the edges ofG spans at least one copy ofH inG. As customary, writeK ^r for the complete graph onr vertices. We show that for every fixed real >0 there exists a constantC=C() such that almost every random graphG _n,p withp=p(n)Cn ^–2/5 satisfiesG _{n,p 2/3+} K ⁴. The proof makes use of a variant of Szemerédi's regularity lemma for sparse graphs and is based on a certain superexponential estimate for the number of pseudo-random tripartite graphs whose triangles are not too well distributed. Related results and a general conjecture concerningH-free subgraphs of random graphs in the spirit of the Erds-Stone theorem are discussed.The first author was partially supported by FAPESP (Proc. 93/0603-1) and by CNPq (Proc. 300334/93-1 and ProTeM-CC-II Project ProComb). Part of this work was done while the second author was visiting the University of São Paulo, supported by FAPESP (Proc. 94/4276-8). The third author was partially supported by the NSF grant DMS-9401559.     

Turán's extremal problem in random graphs: Forbidding odd cycles

For 0<1 and graphsG andH, we writeGH if any -proportion of the edges ofG span at least one copy ofH inG. As customary, we writeC ^k for a cycle of lengthk. We show that, for every fixed integerl1 and real >0, there exists a real constantC=C(l, ), such that almost every random graphG _{n, p} withp=p(n)Cn ^–1+1/2l satisfiesG _n,p1/2+ C ^2l+1. In particular, for any fixedl1 and >0, this result implies the existence of very sparse graphsG withG _1/2+ C ^2l+1.The first author was partially supported by NSERC. The second author was partially supported by FAPESP (Proc. 93/0603-1) and by CNP_q (Proc. 300334/93-1). The third author was partially sopported by KBN grant 2 1087 91 01.     

Extending partial isomorphisms of graphs

Theorem Let X be a finite graph. Then there exists a finite graph Z containing X as an induced subgraphs, such that every isomorphism between induced subgraphs of X extends to an automorphism of Z.The graphZ may be required to be edge-transitive. The result implies that for anyn, there exists a notion of a genericn-tuple of automorphism of the Rado graphR (the random countable graph): for almost all automorphism ₁,..., _n and ₁ ofR (in the sense of Baire category), (R,₁,..., _n ), (R,₁,..., _n ). The problem arose in a recent paper of Hodges, Hodgkinson, Lascar and Shelah, where the theorem is used to prove the small index property forR.Work supported by a Sloan Fellowship and by NSF grant DMS-8903378.     

Smallest maximally nonhamiltonian graphs

A graphG ismaximally nonhamiltonian iffG is not hamiltonian butG + e is hamiltonian for each edgee inG ^c, i.e., any two non-adjacent vertices ofG are ends of a hamiltonian path. Bollobás posed the problem of finding the least number of edges,f(n), possible in a maximally nonhamiltonian graph of ordern. Results of Bondy show thatf(n) 3/2 n forn 7. We exhibit graphs of even ordern 36 for which the bound is attained. These graphs are the snarks,J _k, of Isaacs and mild variations of them. For oddn 55 we construct graphs from the graphsJ _k showing that in this case,f(n) = 3n + 1/2 or 3n + 3/2 and leave the determination of which is correct as an open problem. Finally we note that the graphsJ _k, k 7 are hypohamiltonian cubics with girth 6.     

Packing circuits in eulerian digraphs

LetG be an eulerian digraph; let (G) be the maximum number of pairwise edge-disjoint directed circuits ofG, and (G) the smallest size of a set of edges that meets all directed circuits ofG. Borobia, Nutov and Penn showed that (G) need not be equal to (G). We show that (G)=(G) provided thatG has a linkless embedding in 3-space, or equivalently, if no minor ofG can be converted toK ₆ by –Y andY– operations.     

The concentration of the chromatic number of random graphs

We prove that for every constant >0 the chromatic number of the random graphG(n, p) withp=n ^–1/2– is asymptotically almost surely concentrated in two consecutive values. This implies that for any <1/2 and any integer valued functionr(n)O(n ) there exists a functionp(n) such that the chromatic number ofG(n,p(n)) is preciselyr(n) asymptotically almost surely.Research supported in part by a USA Israeli BSF grant and by a grant from the Israel Science Foundation.Research supported in part by a Charles Clore Fellowship.     

Transposition generation of alternating permutations

A permutation _{1 2}... _n is alternating if ₁< ₂> ₃< ₄.... Alternating permutations are counted by the Euler numbers. Here we show that alternating permutations can be listed so that successive permutations differ by a transposition, ifn is odd. Extensions and open problems are mentioned.Research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under grant A3379.     

Star chromatic numbers of graphs

We investigate the relation between the star-chromatic number (G) and the chromatic number (G) of a graphG. First we give a sufficient condition for graphs under which their starchromatic numbers are equal to their ordinary chromatic numbers. As a corollary we show that for any two positive integersk, g, there exists ak-chromatic graph of girth at leastg whose star-chromatic number is alsok. The special case of this corollary withg=4 answers a question of Abbott and Zhou. We also present an infinite family of triangle-free planar graphs whose star-chromatic number equals their chromatic number. We then study the star-chromatic number of An infinite family of graphs is constructed to show that for each >0 and eachm2 there is anm-connected (m+1)-critical graph with star chromatic number at mostm+. This answers another question asked by Abbott and Zhou.     

Packing random items of three colors

Consider three colors 1,2,3, and forj3, considern items (X _i,j)in of colorj. We want to pack these items inn bins of equal capacity (the bin size is not fixed, and is to be determined once all the objects are known), subject to the condition that each bin must contain exactly one item of each color, and that the total item sizes attributed to any given bin does not exceed the bin capacity. Consider the stochastic model where the random variables (X _i,jj)in,j3 are independent uniformly distributed over [0,1]. We show that there is a polynomial-time algorithm that produces a packing which has a wasted spaceK logn with overwhelming probability.Work partially supported by an N.S.F. grant.     

Mortality of iterated Gallai graphs

For a finite or infinite graphG, theGallai graph (G) ofG is defined as the graph whose vertex set is the edge setE(G) ofG; two distinct edges ofG are adjacent in (G) if they are incident but do not span a triangle inG. For any positive integert, thetth iterated Gallai graph ^t (G) ofG is defined by ( ^t–1(G)), where ⁰(G):=G. A graph is said to beGallai-mortal if some of its iterated Gallai graphs finally equals the empty graph. In this paper we characterize Gallai-mortal graphs in several ways.     

Dense graphs and edge reconstruction

By a well-known result of Nash-Williams if a graphG is not edge reconstructible, then for all ,|A||E(G)| mod 2 we have a permutation ofV(G) such thatE(G)E(G)=A. Here we construct infinitely many graphsG having this curious property and more than edges.Research (partially) supported by Hungarian National Foundation for Scientific Research Grant No.T016389.     

The Rank of a Direct Power of a Small-Cancellation Group

We construct an example of a finitely generated group G such that rank((G )ⁿ)=2 for all n1. For each n, we construct a finitely presented group G _n such that rank((G _n )ⁿ)=2. We conjecture that if G is a word-hyperbolic group then rank(G ⁿ ) as $ n. For each m we give an example of a residually finite group K _m such that K _m has exactly two relators, but K _m has no proper subgroups of index $ m. We construct a finitely generated group D such that there is an epimorphism DD×D.