Removing Twins in Graphs to Break Symmetries

Determining vertex subsets are known tools to provide information about automorphism groups of graphs and, consequently about symmetries of graphs. In this paper, we provide both lower and upper bounds of the minimum size of such vertex subsets, called the determining number of the graph. These bounds, which are performed for arbitrary graphs, allow us to compute the determining number in two different graph families such are cographs and unit interval graphs

Independent [1,2]-number versus independent domination number

A [1, 2]-set S in a graph G is a vertex subset such that every vertex not in S has at least one and at most two neighbors in it. If the additional requirement that the set be independent is added, the existence of such sets is not guaranteed in every graph. In this paper we provide local conditions, depending on the degree of vertices, for the existence of independent [1, 2]-sets in caterpillars. We also study the relationship between independent [1, 2]-sets and independent dominating sets in this graph class, that allows us to obtain an upper bound for the associated parameter, the independent [1, 2]-number, in terms of the independent domination number.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Steiner distance and convexity in graphs

We use the Steiner distance to define a convexity in the vertex set of a graph, which has a nice behavior in the well-known class of HHD-free graphs. For this graph class, we prove that any Steiner tree of a vertex set is included into the geodesical convex hull of the set, which extends the well-known fact that the Euclidean convex hull contains at least one Steiner tree for any planar point set. We also characterize the graph class where Steiner convexity becomes a convex geometry, and provide a vertex set that allows us to rebuild any convex set, using convex hull operation, in any graph

Towards a new framework for domination

Dominating concepts constitute a cornerstone in Graph Theory. Part of the efforts in the field have been focused in finding different mathematical frameworks where domination notions naturally arise, providing new points of view about the matter. In this paper, we introduce one of these frameworks based in convexity. The main idea consists of defining a convexity in a graph, already used in image processing, for which the usual parameters of convexity are closely related to domination parameters. Moreover, the Helly number of this convexity may be viewed as a new domination parameter whose study would be of interest

Graph operations and Lie algebras

This paper deals with several operations on graphs and combinatorial structures linking them with their associated Lie algebras. More concretely, our main goal is to obtain some criteria to determine when there exists a Lie algebra associated with a combinatorial structure arising from those operations. Additionally, we show an algorithmic method for one of those operations.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónFondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regiona

Proof levels of graph theory students under the lens of the Van Hiele model

This work is devoted to exploring proof abilities in graph theory of undergraduate students of the Degree in Computer Engineering and Technology of the University of Seville. To do this, we have designed a questionnaire consisting of five open-ended items that serve as instrument to collect data concerning their proof skills when dealing with graphs. We have thus analysed them adapting the methodology for computing the degrees of acquisition of the Van Hiele levels. Our analysis leads to different proof profiles of graph theory students whose characteristics provide empirical support to consider proof levels in graph theory froThis work is devoted to exploring proof abilities in Graph Theory of undergraduate students of the Degree in Computer Engineering and Technology of the University of Seville. To do this, we have designed a questionnaire consisting of five open-ended items that serve as instrument to collect data concerning their proof skills when dealing with graphs. We have thus analysed them adapting the methodology for computing the degrees of acquisition of the Van Hiele levels. Our analysis leads to different proof profiles of Graph Theory students whose characteristics provide empirical support to consider proof levels in Graph Theory from the perspective of the Van Hiele model.m the perspective of the Van Hiele model

Dominating 2-broadcast in graphs: complexity, bounds and extremal graphs

Limited dominating broadcasts were proposed as a variant of dominating broadcasts, where the broadcast function is upper bounded. As a natural extension of domination, we consider dominating 2-broadcasts along with the associated parameter, the dominating 2-broadcast number. We prove that computing the dominating 2-broadcast number is a NP-complete problem, but can be achieved in linear time for trees. We also give an upper bound for this parameter, that is tight for graphs as large as desired.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Rebuilding convex sets in graphs

The usual distance between pairs of vertices in a graph naturally gives rise to the notion of an interval between a pair of vertices in a graph. This in turn allows us to extend the notions of convex sets, convex hull, and extreme points in Euclidean space to the vertex set of a graph. The extreme vertices of a graph are known to be precisely the simplicial vertices, i.e., the vertices whose neighborhoods are complete graphs. It is known that the class of graphs with the Minkowski–Krein–Milman property, i.e., the property that every convex set is the convex hull of its extreme points, is precisely the class of chordal graphs without induced 3-fans. We define a vertex to be a contour vertex if the eccentricity of every neighbor is at most as large as that of the vertex. In this paper we show that every convex set of vertices in a graph is the convex hull of the collection of its contour vertices. We characterize those graphs for which every convex set has the property that its contour vertices coincide with its extreme points. A set of vertices in a graph is a geodetic set if the union of the intervals between pairs of vertices in the set, taken over all pairs in the set, is the entire vertex set. We show that the contour vertices in distance hereditary graphs form a geodetic set

On the determining number and the metric dimension of graphs

This paper initiates a study on the problem of computing the difference between the metric dimension and the determining number of graphs. We provide new proofs and results on the determining number of trees and Cartesian products of graphs, and establish some lower bounds on the difference between the two parameters.Postprint (published version