Decomposing almost complete graphs by random trees

Preprin

The number of maximum matchings in a tree

We determine upper and lower bounds for the number of maximum matchings (i.e., matchings of maximum cardinality) $m(T)$ of a tree $T$ of given order. While the trees that attain the lower bound are easily characterised, the trees with largest number of maximum matchings show a very subtle structure. We give a complete characterisation of these trees and derive that the number of maximum matchings in a tree of order $n$ is at most $O(1.391664^n)$ (the precise constant being an algebraic number of degree 14). As a corollary, we improve on a recent result by G\'orska and Skupie\'n on the number of maximal matchings (maximal with respect to set inclusion).Comment: 38 page

The boundary of the outer space of a free product

Let $G$ be a countable group that splits as a free product of groups of the form $G=G_1\ast\dots\ast G_k\ast F_N$, where $F_N$ is a finitely generated free group. We identify the closure of the outer space $P\mathcal{O}(G,\{G_1,\dots,G_k\})$ for the axes topology with the space of projective minimal, \emph{very small} $(G,\{G_1,\dots,G_k\})$-trees, i.e. trees whose arc stabilizers are either trivial, or cyclic, closed under taking roots, and not conjugate into any of the $G_i$'s, and whose tripod stabilizers are trivial. Its topological dimension is equal to $3N+2k-4$, and the boundary has dimension $3N+2k-5$. We also prove that any very small $(G,\{G_1,\dots,G_k\})$-tree has at most $2N+2k-2$ orbits of branch points.Comment: v3: Final version, to appear in the Israel Journal of Mathematics. Section 3, regarding the definition and properties of geometric trees, has been rewritten to improve the exposition, following a referee's suggestio

Every tree is a large subtree of a tree that decomposes Kn or Kn,n

Let T be a tree with m edges. A well-known conjecture of Ringel states that T decomposes the complete graph $K_{2m+1}$. Graham and Häggkvist conjectured that T also decomposes the complete bipartite graph $K_{m,m}$. In this paper we show that there exists an integer n with n ≤[(3m - 1)/2] and a tree T₁ with n edges such that T₁ decomposes $K_{2n+1}$ and contains T. We also show that there exists an integer n' with n' ≥ 2m-1 and a tree T₂ with n' edges such that T₂ decomposes $K_{n',n'}$and contains T. In the latter case, we can improve the bound if there exists a prime p such that [3m/2] ≤ p < 2m - 1.Postprint (published version

The slopes determined by n points in the plane

Let $m_{12}$, $m_{13}$, ..., $m_{n-1,n}$ be the slopes of the $\binom{n}{2}$ lines connecting $n$ points in general position in the plane. The ideal $I_n$ of all algebraic relations among the $m_{ij}$ defines a configuration space called the {\em slope variety of the complete graph}. We prove that $I_n$ is reduced and Cohen-Macaulay, give an explicit Gr\"obner basis for it, and compute its Hilbert series combinatorially. We proceed chiefly by studying the associated Stanley-Reisner simplicial complex, which has an intricate recursive structure. In addition, we are able to answer many questions about the geometry of the slope variety by translating them into purely combinatorial problems concerning enumeration of trees.Comment: 36 pages; final published versio