| Abstract: | A hamiltonian graph G of order n is k-ordered, 2 ≤ k ≤ n, if for every sequence v1, v2, …, vk of k distinct vertices of G, there exists a hamiltonian cycle that encounters v1, v2, …, vk in this order. Theorems by Dirac and Ore, presenting sufficient conditions for a graph to be hamiltonian, are generalized to k-ordered hamiltonian graphs. The existence of k-ordered graphs with small maximum degree is investigated; in particular, a family of 4-regular 4-ordered graphs is described. A graph G of order n ≥ 3 is k-hamiltonian-connected, 2 ≤ k ≤ n, if for every sequence v1, v2, …, vk of k distinct vertices, G contains a v1-vk hamiltonian path that encounters v1, v2,…, vk in this order. It is shown that for k ≥ 3, every (k + 1)-hamiltonian-connected graph is k-ordered and a result of Ore on hamiltonian-connected graphs is generalized to k-hamiltonian-connected graphs. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
