On graphs satisfying a local ore-type condition

For an integer i, a graph is called an L_i-graph if, for each triple of vertices u, v, w with d(u, v) = 2 and w (element of) N(u) (intersection) N(v), d(u) + d(v) ≥ | N(u) (union) N(v) (union) N(w)| —i. Asratian and Khachatrian proved that connected L_o-graphs of order at least 3 are hamiltonian, thus improving Ore's Theorem. All K_1,3-free graphs are L₁-graphs, whence recognizing hamiltonian L₁-graphs is an NP-complete problem. The following results about L₁-graphs, unifying known results of Ore-type and known results on K_1,3-free graphs, are obtained. Set K = lcub;G|K_p,p+1 (contained within) G (contained within) K_p V K_p+1 for some ρ ≥ } (v denotes join). If G is a 2-connected L₁-graph, then G is 1-tough unless G (element of) K. Furthermore, if G is as connected L₁-graph of order at least 3 such that |N(u) (intersection) N(v)| ≥ 2 for every pair of vertices u, v with d(u, v) = 2, then G is hamiltonian unless G ? K, and every pair of vertices x, y with d(x, y) ≥ 3 is connected by a Hamilton path. This result implies that of Asratian and Khachatrian. Finally, if G is a connected L₁-graph of even order, then G has a perfect matching. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.