Hardness and approximation for the geodetic set problem in some graph classes

In this paper, we study the computational complexity of finding the \emph{geodetic number} of graphs. A set of vertices $S$ of a graph $G$ is a \emph{geodetic set} if any vertex of $G$ lies in some shortest path between some pair of vertices from $S$. The \textsc{Minimum Geodetic Set (MGS)} problem is to find a geodetic set with minimum cardinality. In this paper, we prove that solving the \textsc{MGS} problem is NP-hard on planar graphs with a maximum degree six and line graphs. We also show that unless $P=NP$, there is no polynomial time algorithm to solve the \textsc{MGS} problem with sublogarithmic approximation factor (in terms of the number of vertices) even on graphs with diameter $2$. On the positive side, we give an $O\left(\sqrt[3]{n}\log n\right)$-approximation algorithm for the \textsc{MGS} problem on general graphs of order $n$. We also give a $3$-approximation algorithm for the \textsc{MGS} problem on the family of solid grid graphs which is a subclass of planar graphs

Algorithms and Complexity for Geodetic Sets on Planar and Chordal Graphs

We study the complexity of finding the geodetic number on subclasses of planar graphs and chordal graphs. A set S of vertices of a graph G is a geodetic set if every vertex of G lies in a shortest path between some pair of vertices of S. The Minimum Geodetic Set (MGS) problem is to find a geodetic set with minimum cardinality of a given graph. The problem is known to remain NP-hard on bipartite graphs, chordal graphs, planar graphs and subcubic graphs. We first study MGS on restricted classes of planar graphs: we design a linear-time algorithm for MGS on solid grids, improving on a 3-approximation algorithm by Chakraborty et al. (CALDAM, 2020) and show that MGS remains NP-hard even for subcubic partial grids of arbitrary girth. This unifies some results in the literature. We then turn our attention to chordal graphs, showing that MGS is fixed parameter tractable for inputs of this class when parameterized by their treewidth (which equals the clique number minus one). This implies a linear-time algorithm for k-trees, for fixed k. Then, we show that MGS is NP-hard on interval graphs, thereby answering a question of Ekim et al. (LATIN, 2012). As interval graphs are very constrained, to prove the latter result we design a rather sophisticated reduction technique to work around their inherent linear structure

Three problems on well-partitioned chordal graphs

In this work, we solve three problems on well-partitioned chordal graphs. First, we show that every connected (resp., 2-connected) well-partitioned chordal graph has a vertex that intersects all longest paths (resp., longest cycles). It is an open problem [Balister et al., Comb. Probab. Comput. 2004] whether the same holds for chordal graphs. Similarly, we show that every connected well-partitioned chordal graph admits a (polynomial-time constructible) tree 3-spanner, while the complexity status of the Tree 3-Spanner problem remains open on chordal graphs [Brandstädt et al., Theor. Comput. Sci. 2004]. Finally, we show that the problem of finding a minimum-size geodetic set is polynomial-time solvable on well-partitioned chordal graphs. This is the first example of a problem that is NP -hard on chordal graphs and polynomial-time solvable on well-partitioned chordal graphs. Altogether, these results reinforce the significance of this recently defined graph class as a tool to tackle problems that are hard or unsolved on chordal graphs.acceptedVersio

On the Computational Complexity of the Strong Geodetic Recognition Problem

A strong geodetic set of a graph~$G=(V,E)$ is a vertex set~$S \subseteq V(G)$ in which it is possible to cover all the remaining vertices of~$V(G) \setminus S$ by assigning a unique shortest path between each vertex pair of~$S$. In the Strong Geodetic problem (SG) a graph~$G$ and a positive integer~$k$ are given as input and one has to decide whether~$G$ has a strong geodetic set of cardinality at most~$k$. This problem is known to be NP-hard for general graphs. In this work we introduce the Strong Geodetic Recognition problem (SGR), which consists in determining whether even a given vertex set~$S \subseteq V(G)$ is strong geodetic. We demonstrate that this version is NP-complete. We investigate and compare the computational complexity of both decision problems restricted to some graph classes, deriving polynomial-time algorithms, NP-completeness proofs, and initial parameterized complexity results, including an answer to an open question in the literature for the complexity of SG for chordal graphs

Parameterized Complexity of Geodetic Set

A vertex set S of a graph G is geodetic if every vertex of G lies on a shortest path between two vertices in S. Given a graph G and k ? ?, the NP-hard Geodetic Set problem asks whether there is a geodetic set of size at most k. Complementing various works on Geodetic Set restricted to special graph classes, we initiate a parameterized complexity study of Geodetic Set and show, on the negative side, that Geodetic Set is W[1]-hard when parameterized by feedback vertex number, path-width, and solution size, combined. On the positive side, we develop fixed-parameter algorithms with respect to the feedback edge number, the tree-depth, and the modular-width of the input graph

Complexity and algorithms related to two classes of graph problems

This thesis addresses the problems associated with conversions on graphs and editing by removing a matching. We study the f-reversible processes, which are those associated with a threshold value for each vertex, and whose dynamics depends on the number of neighbors with different state for each vertex. We set a tight upper bound for the period and transient lengths, characterize all trees that reach the maximum transient length for 2-reversible processes, and we show that determining the size of a minimum conversion set is NP-hard. We show that the AND-OR model defines a convexity on graphs. We show results of NP-completeness and efficient algorithms for certain convexity parameters for this new one, as well as approximate algorithms. We introduce the concept of generalized threshold processes, where the results are NP-completeness and efficient algorithms for both non relaxed and relaxed versions. We study the problem of deciding whether a given graph admits a removal of a matching in order to destroy all cycles. We show that this problem is NP-hard even for subcubic graphs, but admits efficient solution for several graph classes. We study the problem of deciding whether a given graph admits a removal of a matching in order to destroy all odd cycles. We show that this problem is NP-hard even for planar graphs with bounded degree, but admits efficient solution for some graph classes. We also show parameterized results.Esta tese aborda problemas associados a conversões em grafos e de edição pela remoção de um emparelhamento. Estudamos processos f-reversíveis, que são aqueles associados a um valor de limiar para cada vértice e cuja dinâmica depende da quantidade de vizinhos com estado contrário para cada vértice. Estabelecemos um limite superior justo para o tamanho do período e transiente, caracterizamos todas as árvores que alcançam o transiente máximo em processos 2-reversíveis e mostramos que determinar o tamanho de um conjunto conversor mínimo é NP-difícil. Mostramos que o modelo AND-OR define uma convexidade sobre grafos. Mostramos resultados de NP-completude e algoritmos eficientes para certos parâmetros de convexidade para esta nova, assim como algoritmos aproximativos. Introduzimos o conceito de processos de limiar generalizados, onde mostramos resultados de NP-completude e algoritmos eficientes para ambas as versões não relaxada e relaxada. Estudamos o problema de decidir se um dado grafo admite uma remoção de um emparelhamento de modo a remover todos os ciclos. Mostramos que este problema é NP-difícil mesmo para grafos subcúbicos, mas admite solução eficiente para várias classes de grafos. Estudamos o problema de decidir se um dado grafo admite uma remoção de um emparelhamento de modo a remover todos os ciclos ímpares. Mostramos que este problema é NP-difícil mesmo para grafos planares com grau limitado, mas admite solução eficiente para algumas classes de grafos. Mostramos também resultados parametrizados

Formulas in connection with parameters related to convexity of paths on three vertices: caterpillars and unit interval graphs

We present formulas to compute the P3 -interval number, the P3 -hull number and the percolation time for a caterpillar, in terms of certain sequences associated with it. In addition, we find a connection between the percolation time of a unit interval graph and a parameter involving the diameter of a unit interval graph related to it. Finally, we present a hereditary graph class, defined by forbidden induced subgraphs, such that its percolation time is equal to one.Fil: González, Lucía M.. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Grippo, Luciano Norberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Safe, Martin Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca; Argentin