Ramsey-type theorems for metric spaces with applications to online problems

A nearly logarithmic lower bound on the randomized competitive ratio for the metrical task systems problem is presented. This implies a similar lower bound for the extensively studied k-server problem. The proof is based on Ramsey-type theorems for metric spaces, that state that every metric space contains a large subspace which is approximately a hierarchically well-separated tree (and in particular an ultrametric). These Ramsey-type theorems may be of independent interest.Comment: Fix an error in the metadata. 31 pages, 0 figures. Preliminary version in FOCS '01. To be published in J. Comput. System Sc

On the path-avoidance vertex-coloring game

For any graph $F$ and any integer $r\geq 2$, the \emph{online vertex-Ramsey density of $F$ and $r$}, denoted $m^*(F,r)$, is a parameter defined via a deterministic two-player Ramsey-type game (Painter vs.\ Builder). This parameter was introduced in a recent paper \cite{mrs11}, where it was shown that the online vertex-Ramsey density determines the threshold of a similar probabilistic one-player game (Painter vs.\ the binomial random graph $G_{n,p}$). For a large class of graphs $F$, including cliques, cycles, complete bipartite graphs, hypercubes, wheels, and stars of arbitrary size, a simple greedy strategy is optimal for Painter and closed formulas for $m^*(F,r)$ are known. In this work we show that for the case where $F=P_\ell$ is a (long) path, the picture is very different. It is not hard to see that $m^*(P_\ell,r)= 1-1/k^*(P_\ell,r)$ for an appropriately defined integer $k^*(P_\ell,r)$, and that the greedy strategy gives a lower bound of $k^*(P_\ell,r)\geq \ell^r$. We construct and analyze Painter strategies that improve on this greedy lower bound by a factor polynomial in $\ell$, and we show that no superpolynomial improvement is possible

Induced Ramsey-type theorems

We present a unified approach to proving Ramsey-type theorems for graphs with a forbidden induced subgraph which can be used to extend and improve the earlier results of Rodl, Erdos-Hajnal, Promel-Rodl, Nikiforov, Chung-Graham, and Luczak-Rodl. The proofs are based on a simple lemma (generalizing one by Graham, Rodl, and Rucinski) that can be used as a replacement for Szemeredi's regularity lemma, thereby giving much better bounds. The same approach can be also used to show that pseudo-random graphs have strong induced Ramsey properties. This leads to explicit constructions for upper bounds on various induced Ramsey numbers.Comment: 30 page