On almost hypohamiltonian graphs

A graph $G$ is almost hypohamiltonian (a.h.) if $G$ is non-hamiltonian, there exists a vertex $w$ in $G$ such that $G - w$ is non-hamiltonian, and $G - v$ is hamiltonian for every vertex $v \ne w$ in $G$. The second author asked in [J. Graph Theory 79 (2015) 63--81] for all orders for which a.h. graphs exist. Here we solve this problem. To this end, we present a specialised algorithm which generates complete sets of a.h. graphs for various orders. Furthermore, we show that the smallest cubic a.h. graphs have order 26. We provide a lower bound for the order of the smallest planar a.h. graph and improve the upper bound for the order of the smallest planar a.h. graph containing a cubic vertex. We also determine the smallest planar a.h. graphs of girth 5, both in the general and cubic case. Finally, we extend a result of Steffen on snarks and improve two bounds on longest paths and longest cycles in polyhedral graphs due to Jooyandeh, McKay, {\"O}sterg{\aa}rd, Pettersson, and the second author.Comment: 18 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1602.0717

On almost hypohamiltonian graphs

A graph G is almost hypohamiltonian (a.h.) if G is non-hamiltonian, there exists a vertex w in G such that G - w is non-hamiltonian, and G - v is hamiltonian for every vertex v \ne w in G. The second author asked in [J. Graph Theory 79 (2015) 63–81] for all orders for which a.h. graphs exist. Here we solve this problem. To this end, we present a specialised algorithm which generates complete sets of a.h. graphs for various orders. Furthermore, we show that the smallest cubic a.h. graphs have order 26. We provide a lower bound for the order of the smallest planar a.h. graph and improve the upper bound for the order of the smallest planar a.h. graph containing a cubic vertex. We also determine the smallest planar a.h. graphs of girth 5, both in the general and cubic case. Finally, we extend a result of Steffen on snarks and improve two bounds on longest paths and longest cycles in polyhedral graphs due to Jooyandeh, McKay, Östergård, Pettersson, and the second author

Planar hypohamiltonian oriented graphs

In 1978 Thomassen asked whether planar hypohamiltonian oriented graphs exist. Infinite families of such graphs have since been described but for infinitely many it remained an open question whether planar hypohamiltonian oriented graphs of order exist. In this paper we develop new methods for constructing hypohamiltonian digraphs, which, combined with efficient graph generation algorithms, enable us to fully characterise the orders for which planar hypohamiltonian oriented graphs exist. Our novel methods also led us to discover the planar hypohamiltonian oriented graph of smallest order and size, as well as infinitely many hypohamiltonian orientations of maximal planar graphs. Furthermore, we answer a question related to a problem of Schiermeyer on vertex degrees in hypohamiltonian oriented graphs, and characterise all the orders for which planar hypotraceable oriented graphs exist.Research Foundation Flanders; VSC(Flemish Supercomputer Center);DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jgthj2023Mathematics and Applied Mathematic

Hypohamiltonian and almost hypohamiltonian graphs

This Dissertation is structured as follows. In Chapter 1, we give a short historical overview and define fundamental concepts. Chapter 2 contains a clear narrative of the progress made towards finding the smallest planar hypohamiltonian graph, with all of the necessary theoretical tools and techniques--especially Grinberg's Criterion. Consequences of this progress are distributed over all sections and form the leitmotif of this Dissertation. Chapter 2 also treats girth restrictions and hypohamiltonian graphs in the context of crossing numbers. Chapter 3 is a thorough discussion of the newly introduced almost hypohamiltonian graphs and their connection to hypohamiltonian graphs. Once more, the planar case plays an exceptional role. At the end of the chapter, we study almost hypotraceable graphs and Gallai's problem on longest paths. The latter leads to Chapter 4, wherein the connection between hypohamiltonicity and various problems related to longest paths and longest cycles are presented. Chapter 5 introduces and studies non-hamiltonian graphs in which every vertex-deleted subgraph is traceable, a class encompassing hypohamiltonian and hypotraceable graphs. We end with an outlook in Chapter 6, where we present a selection of open problems enriched with comments and partial results

On constructions of hypotraceable graphs

A graph G is hypohamiltonian/hypotraceable if it is not hamiltonian/traceable,but all vertex deleted subgraphs of G are hamiltonian/traceable. Until now all hypotraceable graphs were constructed using hypohamiltonian graphs; extending a method of Thomassen we present a construction that uses so-called almost hypohamiltonian graphs (nonhamiltonian graphs, whose vertex deleted subgraphs are hamiltonian with exactly one exception). As an application, we construct a planar hypotraceable graph of order 138, improving the best known bound of 154. We also prove a structural type theorem showing that hypotraceable graphs possessing some connectivity properties are all built using either Thomassen's or our method