Lower bounds for combinatorial problems on graphs

Nontrivial lower bounds are given for the computation time of various combinatorial problems on graphs under a linear or algebraic decision tree model. An $\text{Ω(n}{}^3\text{log}\text{n)}$ bound is obtained for a “travelling salesman problem” on a weighted complete graph of n vertices. Moreover it is shown that the same bound is valid for the “subgraph detection problem” with respect to property P if P is hereditary and determined by components. Thus an $\text{Ω(n}{}^3\text{log}\text{n)}$ bound is established in a unified way for a rather large class of problems.