On the number of maximal independent sets in a graph

Miller and Muller (1960) and independently Moon and Moser (1965) determined the maximum number of maximal independent sets in an $n$-vertex graph. We give a new and simple proof of this result

Maximal independent sets and maximal matchings in series-parallel and related graph classes

We provide combinatorial decompositions as well as asymptotic tight estimates for two maximal parameters: the number and average size of maximal independent sets and maximal matchings in seriesparallel graphs (and related graph classes) with n vertices. In particular, our results extend previous results of Meir and Moon for trees [Meir, Moon: On maximal independent sets of nodes in trees, Journal of Graph Theory 1988]. We also show that these two parameters converge to a central limit law.Postprint (author's final draft

Maximal Independent Sets and Maximal Matchings in Series-Parallel and Related Graph Classes

We provide combinatorial decompositions as well as asymptotic tight estimates for two maximal parameters: the number and average size of maximal independent sets and maximal matchings in series-parallel graphs (and related graph classes) with n vertices. In particular, our results extend previous results of Meir and Moon for trees [Meir, Moon: On maximal independent sets of nodes in trees, Journal of Graph Theory 1988]. We also show that these two parameters converge to a central limit law

The typical structure of maximal triangle-free graphs

Recently, settling a question of Erd\H{o}s, Balogh and Pet\v{r}\'{i}\v{c}kov\'{a} showed that there are at most $2^{n^2/8+o(n^2)}$ $n$-vertex maximal triangle-free graphs, matching the previously known lower bound. Here we characterize the typical structure of maximal triangle-free graphs. We show that almost every maximal triangle-free graph $G$ admits a vertex partition $X\cup Y$ such that $G[X]$ is a perfect matching and $Y$ is an independent set. Our proof uses the Ruzsa-Szemer\'{e}di removal lemma, the Erd\H{o}s-Simonovits stability theorem, and recent results of Balogh-Morris-Samotij and Saxton-Thomason on characterization of the structure of independent sets in hypergraphs. The proof also relies on a new bound on the number of maximal independent sets in triangle-free graphs with many vertex-disjoint $P_3$'s, which is of independent interest.Comment: 17 page

Maximal independent sets and maximal matchings in series-parallel and related graph classes

The goal of this paper is to obtain quantitative results on the number and on the size of maximal independent sets and maximal matchings in several block-stable graph classes that satisfy a proper sub-criticality condition. In particular we cover trees, cacti graphs and seriesparallel graphs. The proof methods are based on a generating function approach and a proper singularity analysis of solutions of implicit systems of functional equations in several variables. As a byproduct, this method extends previous results of Meir and Moon for trees [Meir, Moon: On maximal independent sets of nodes in trees, Journal of Graph Theory 1988].Postprint (author's final draft