Disjoint Cycles and Equitable Colorings
H. Kierstead
A. Kostochka
T. Molla
E. Yeager
yeager2@illinois.edu
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Special Session on Graph and Hypergraph Theory
20 September 2014
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
1 / 22
Disjoint Cycles
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
2 / 22
Corrádi-Hajnal Theorem
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
3 / 22
Corrádi-Hajnal Theorem
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
Examples:
k=1
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
3 / 22
Corrádi-Hajnal Theorem
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
Examples:
k = 1: easy
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
3 / 22
Corrádi-Hajnal Theorem
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
Examples:
k = 1: easy
Sharpness:
k
k
k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
3 / 22
Corrádi-Hajnal Theorem
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
Examples:
k = 1: easy
Sharpness:
k
k
k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
2k − 1
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
3 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
4 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
σ2 (G ) := min{d(x) + d(y ) : xy 6∈ E (G )}
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
4 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
σ2 (G ) := min{d(x) + d(y ) : xy 6∈ E (G )}
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
4 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Corrádi-Hajnal, 1963
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and δ(G ) ≥ 2k, then G contains
k disjoint cycles.
σ2 (G ) := min{d(x) + d(y ) : xy 6∈ E (G )}
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
Implies Corrádi-Hajnal
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
4 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
5 / 22
Enomoto, Wang
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
Sharpness:
k
k
k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
2k − 1
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
5 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
Observation:
α(G ) ≥ n − 2k + 1 ⇒ G has no k cycles
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
Observation:
α(G ) ≥ n − 2k + 1 ⇒ G has no k cycles
2k − 1
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
Observation:
α(G ) ≥ n − 2k + 1 ⇒ G has no k cycles
k
k
k
2k − 1
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
Observation:
α(G ) ≥ n − 2k + 1 ⇒ G has no k cycles
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
Independence Number:
Observation:
α(G ) ≥ n − 2k + 1 ⇒ G has no k cycles
Enomoto 1998, Wang 1999
If G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k and σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 1, then G
contains k disjoint cycles.
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
6 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
7 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
n ≥ 3k + 1
k
k
k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
2k − 1
Disjoint Cycles
k
20 Sept 2014
7 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
k = 1:
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
7 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
k = 2:
u
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
v
7 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
k = 3:
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
7 / 22
Kierstead-Kostochka-Y, 2014+
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
σ2 = 4k − 4:
k−3
2r
k+1
K2t
k+3
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
2r − 2
20 Sept 2014
7 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
Dirac, 1963
What (2k − 1)-connected graphs do not have k disjoint cycles?
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
Dirac, 1963
What (2k − 1)-connected graphs do not have k disjoint cycles?
Observation:
G is (2k − 1) connected ⇒
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
Dirac, 1963
What (2k − 1)-connected graphs do not have k disjoint cycles?
Observation:
G is (2k − 1) connected ⇒ δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1⇒
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
Dirac, 1963
What (2k − 1)-connected graphs do not have k disjoint cycles?
Observation:
G is (2k − 1) connected ⇒ δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1⇒ σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 2
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
Dirac, 1963
What (2k − 1)-connected graphs do not have k disjoint cycles?
Observation:
G is (2k − 1) connected ⇒ δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1⇒ σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 2
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
Answer to Dirac’s Question for Simple Graphs
Let k ≥ 2. Every graph G with (i) |G | ≥ 3k and (ii) δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1
contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ |G | − 2k, and
if k is odd and |G | = 3k, then G 6= 2Kk ∨ Kk , and
if k = 2 then G is not a wheel.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
Answer to Dirac’s Question for Simple Graphs
Let k ≥ 2. Every graph G with (i) |G | ≥ 3k and (ii) δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1
contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ |G | − 2k, and
if k is odd and |G | = 3k, then G 6= 2Kk ∨ Kk , and
if k = 2 then G is not a wheel.
Further:
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
Dirac: (2k − 1)-connected without k disjoint cycles
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
Answer to Dirac’s Question for Simple Graphs
Let k ≥ 2. Every graph G with (i) |G | ≥ 3k and (ii) δ(G ) ≥ 2k − 1
contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ |G | − 2k, and
if k is odd and |G | = 3k, then G 6= 2Kk ∨ Kk , and
if k = 2 then G is not a wheel.
Further:
characterization for multigraphs
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
8 / 22
(2k − 1)-connected multigraphs with no k disjoint cycles
Answer to Dirac’s Question for multigraphs:
Let k ≥ 2 and n ≥ k. Let G be an n-vertex graph with simple degree at least 2k − 1
and no loops. Let F be the simple graph induced by the strong edgs of G , α0 = α0 (F ),
and k 0 = k − α0 . Then G does not contain k disjoint cycles if and only if one of the
following holds:
n + α0 < 3k;
|F | = 2α0 (i.e., F has a perfect matching) and either (i) k 0 is odd and
G − F = Yk 0 ,k 0 , or (ii) k 0 = 2 < k and G − F is a wheel with 5 spokes;
G is extremal and either (i) some big set is not incident to any strong edge, or (ii)
for some two distinct big sets Ij and Ij 0 , all strong edges intersecting Ij ∪ Ij 0 have a
common vertex outside of Ij ∪ Ij 0 ;
n = 2α0 + 3k 0 , k 0 is odd, and F has a superstar S = {v0 , . . . , vs } with center v0
such that either (i) G − (F − S + v0 ) = Yk 0 +1,k 0 , or (ii) s = 2, v1 v2 ∈ E (G ),
G − F = Yk 0 −1,k 0 and G has no edges between {v1 , v2 } and the set X0 in G − F ;
k = 2 and G is a wheel, where some spokes could be strong edges;
k 0 = 2, |F | = 2α0 + 1 = n − 5, and G − F = C5 .
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
9 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
(1)
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
(1)
Remaining graph: min degree ≥ 2k −` − 2α0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
(1)
Remaining graph: min degree ≥ 2k −` − 2α0 = 2(k − ` − α0 ) + `
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k − 1.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
(1)
Remaining graph: min degree ≥ 2k −` − 2α0 = 2(k − ` − α0 ) + `
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k − 1.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
(1)
Remaining graph: min degree ≥ 2k−1 −` − 2α0 = 2(k − ` − α0 ) + `−1
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
Multigraphs
Theorem (Extension of Corrádi-Hajnal to Multigraphs)
For k ∈ Z+ , let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k − 1.
Then G has k disjoint cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0
(1)
Remaining graph: min degree ≥ 2k−1 −` − 2α0 = 2(k − ` − α0 ) + `−1
Corollary
Let G be a multigraph with simple degree at least 2k − 1 for some integer
k ≥ 2. Suppose G contains at least one loop. Then G has k disjoint
cycles if and only if
|V (G )| ≥ 3k − 2` − α0 .
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
10 / 22
(2k − 1)-connected multigraphs with no k disjoint cycles
Answer to Dirac’s Question for multigraphs:
Let k ≥ 2 and n ≥ k. Let G be an n-vertex graph with simple degree at least 2k − 1
and no loops. Let F be the simple graph induced by the strong edgs of G , α0 = α0 (F ),
and k 0 = k − α0 . Then G does not contain k disjoint cycles if and only if one of the
following holds:
n + α0 < 3k;
|F | = 2α0 (i.e., F has a perfect matching) and either (i) k 0 is odd and
G − F = Yk 0 ,k 0 , or (ii) k 0 = 2 < k and G − F is a wheel with 5 spokes;
G is extremal and either (i) some big set is not incident to any strong edge, or (ii)
for some two distinct big sets Ij and Ij 0 , all strong edges intersecting Ij ∪ Ij 0 have a
common vertex outside of Ij ∪ Ij 0 ;
n = 2α0 + 3k 0 , k 0 is odd, and F has a superstar S = {v0 , . . . , vs } with center v0
such that either (i) G − (F − S + v0 ) = Yk 0 +1,k 0 , or (ii) s = 2, v1 v2 ∈ E (G ),
G − F = Yk 0 −1,k 0 and G has no edges between {v1 , v2 } and the set X0 in G − F ;
k = 2 and G is a wheel, where some spokes could be strong edges;
k 0 = 2, |F | = 2α0 + 1 = n − 5, and G − F = C5 .
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
11 / 22
(2k − 1)-connected multigraphs with no k disjoint cycles
Answer to Dirac’s Question for multigraphs:
Let k ≥ 2 and n ≥ k. Let G be an n-vertex graph with simple degree at least 2k − 1
and no loops. Let F be the simple graph induced by the strong edgs of G , α0 = α0 (F ),
and k 0 = k − α0 . Then G does not contain k disjoint cycles if and only if one of the
following holds:
n + α0 < 3k;
|F | = 2α0 (i.e., F has a perfect matching) and either (i) k 0 is odd and
G − F = Yk 0 ,k 0 , or (ii) k 0 = 2 < k and G − F is a wheel with 5 spokes;
G is extremal and either (i) some big set is not incident to any strong edge, or (ii)
for some two distinct big sets Ij and Ij 0 , all strong edges intersecting Ij ∪ Ij 0 have a
common vertex outside of Ij ∪ Ij 0 ;
n = 2α0 + 3k 0 , k 0 is odd, and F has a superstar S = {v0 , . . . , vs } with center v0
such that either (i) G − (F − S + v0 ) = Yk 0 +1,k 0 , or (ii) s = 2, v1 v2 ∈ E (G ),
G − F = Yk 0 −1,k 0 and G has no edges between {v1 , v2 } and the set X0 in G − F ;
k = 2 and G is a wheel, where some spokes could be strong edges;
k 0 = 2, |F | = 2α0 + 1 = n − 5, and G − F = C5 .
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
12 / 22
k 0 odd, F has a perfect matching
Example: k = 8, α0 = 3, k 0 = 5.
k0
k0
k0
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
13 / 22
(2k − 1)-connected multigraphs with no k disjoint cycles
Answer to Dirac’s Question for multigraphs:
Let k ≥ 2 and n ≥ k. Let G be an n-vertex graph with simple degree at least 2k − 1
and no loops. Let F be the simple graph induced by the strong edgs of G , α0 = α0 (F ),
and k 0 = k − α0 . Then G does not contain k disjoint cycles if and only if one of the
following holds:
n + α0 < 3k;
|F | = 2α0 (i.e., F has a perfect matching) and either (i) k 0 is odd and
G − F = Yk 0 ,k 0 , or (ii) k 0 = 2 < k and G − F is a wheel with 5 spokes;
G is extremal and either (i) some big set is not incident to any strong
edge, or (ii) for some two distinct big sets Ij and Ij 0 , all strong edges
intersecting Ij ∪ Ij 0 have a common vertex outside of Ij ∪ Ij 0 ;
n = 2α0 + 3k 0 , k 0 is odd, and F has a superstar S = {v0 , . . . , vs } with center v0
such that either (i) G − (F − S + v0 ) = Yk 0 +1,k 0 , or (ii) s = 2, v1 v2 ∈ E (G ),
G − F = Yk 0 −1,k 0 and G has no edges between {v1 , v2 } and the set X0 in G − F ;
k = 2 and G is a wheel, where some spokes could be strong edges;
k 0 = 2, |F | = 2α0 + 1 = n − 5, and G − F = C5 .
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
14 / 22
Big independent set, incident to no multiple edges
2k − 1
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
15 / 22
Equitable Coloring
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
16 / 22
Equitable Coloring
Definition
An equitable k-coloring of a graph G is a proper coloring of V (G ) such
that any two color classes differ in size by at most one.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
17 / 22
Equitable Coloring
Definition
An equitable k-coloring of a graph G is a proper coloring of V (G ) such
that any two color classes differ in size by at most one.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
17 / 22
Equitable Coloring
Definition
An equitable k-coloring of a graph G is a proper coloring of V (G ) such
that any two color classes differ in size by at most one.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
17 / 22
Equitable Coloring and Cycles
n = 3k
If G has n = 3k vertices, then G has an equitable k-coloring if and only if
G has k disjoint cycles (all triangles).
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
18 / 22
Equitable Coloring and Cycles
n = 3k
If G has n = 3k vertices, then G has an equitable k-coloring if and only if
G has k disjoint cycles (all triangles).
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
18 / 22
Equitable Coloring and Cycles
n = 3k
If G has n = 3k vertices, then G has an equitable k-coloring if and only if
G has k disjoint cycles (all triangles).
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
18 / 22
Chen-Lih-Wu
Hajnal-Szemerédi, 1970
If k ≥ ∆(G ) + 1, then G is equitably k-colorable.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
19 / 22
Chen-Lih-Wu
Hajnal-Szemerédi, 1970
If k ≥ ∆(G ) + 1, then G is equitably k-colorable.
Chen-Lih-Wu Conjecture
If χ(G ), ∆(G ) ≤ k, and if k is odd Kk,k 6⊆ G , then G is equitably
k-colorable.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
19 / 22
Ore Conditions
Chen-Lih-Wu Conjecture
If χ(G ), ∆(G ) ≤ k and Kk,k 6⊆ G , then G is equitably k-colorable.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
20 / 22
Ore Conditions
Chen-Lih-Wu Conjecture
If χ(G ), ∆(G ) ≤ k and Kk,k 6⊆ G , then G is equitably k-colorable.
Kierstead-Kostochka-Molla-Y, 2014+
If G is a k-colorable 3k-vertex graph such that for each edge xy ,
d(x) + d(y ) ≤ 2k + 1, then G is equitably k-colorable, or is one of several
exceptions.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
20 / 22
Ore Conditions
Chen-Lih-Wu Conjecture
If χ(G ), ∆(G ) ≤ k and Kk,k 6⊆ G , then G is equitably k-colorable.
Kierstead-Kostochka-Molla-Y, 2014+
If G is a k-colorable 3k-vertex graph such that for each edge xy ,
d(x) + d(y ) ≤ 2k + 1, then G is equitably k-colorable, or is one of several
exceptions.
Equivalent
If G is a graph on 3k vertices with σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k
disjoint cycles, or is one of several exceptions, or G is not k-colorable.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
20 / 22
Ore Conditions
Kierstead-Kostochka-Molla-Y, 2014+
If G is a k-colorable 3k-vertex graph such that for each edge xy ,
d(x) + d(y ) ≤ 2k + 1, then G is equitably k-colorable, or is one of several
exceptions.
Equivalent
If G is a graph on 3k vertices with σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k
disjoint cycles, or is one of several exceptions, or G is not k-colorable.
KKY, 2014+
For k ≥ 4, if G is a graph on n vertices with n ≥ 3k + 1 and
σ2 (G ) ≥ 4k − 3, then G contains k disjoint cycles if and only if
α(G ) ≤ n − 2k.
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
20 / 22
Exceptions
k=3
Equitable coloring:
Cycles:
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
21 / 22
Exceptions
Equitable coloring:
c
Kk
2k − c
Cycles:
k
k
k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
21 / 22
Exceptions
Equitable coloring:
Kk−1
2k
Cycles:
K2k
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
k−1
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
21 / 22
Thanks for Listening!
KKMY (ASU, UIUC)
Disjoint Cycles
20 Sept 2014
22 / 22