Generalized degree conditions for graphs with bounded independence number

We consider a generalized degree condition based on the cardinality of the neighborhood union of arbitrary sets of r vertices. We show that a Dirac-type bound on this degree in conjunction with a bound on the independence number of a graph is sufficient to imply certain hamiltonian properties in graphs. For K_1,m-free grphs we obtain generalizations of known results. In particular we show: Theorem. Let r ≥ 1 and m ≥ 3 be integers. Then for each nonnegative function f(r, m) there exists a constant C = C(r, m, f(r, m)) such that if G is a graph of order n (n ≥ r, n > m) with δ_r(G) ≥ (n/3) + C and β (G) ≥ f(r, m), then (a) G is traceable if δ(G) ≥ r and G is connected; (b) G is hamiltonian if δ(G) ≥ r + 1 and G is 2-connected; (c) G is hamiltonian-connected if δ(G) ≥ r + 2 and G is 3-connected. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.