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Discrete Mathematics

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preprint2013arXiv

Random subgraphs make identification affordable

An identifying code of a graph is a dominating set which uniquely determines all the vertices by their neighborhood within the code. Whereas graphs with large minimum degree have small domination number, this is not the case for the identifying code number (the size of a smallest identifying code), which indeed is not even a monotone parameter with respect to graph inclusion. We show that every graph $G$ with $n$ vertices, maximum degree $Δ=ω(1)$ and minimum degree $δ\geq c\logΔ$, for some constant $c>0$, contains a large spanning subgraph which admits an identifying code with size $O\left(\frac{n\logΔ}δ\right)$. In particular, if $δ=Θ(n)$, then $G$ has a dense spanning subgraph with identifying code $O\left(\log n\right)$, namely, of asymptotically optimal size. The subgraph we build is created using a probabilistic approach, and we use an interplay of various random methods to analyze it. Moreover we show that the result is essentially best possible, both in terms of the number of deleted edges and the size of the identifying code.

preprint2016arXiv

On statistical learning via the lens of compression

This work continues the study of the relationship between sample compression schemes and statistical learning, which has been mostly investigated within the framework of binary classification. The central theme of this work is establishing equivalences between learnability and compressibility, and utilizing these equivalences in the study of statistical learning theory. We begin with the setting of multiclass categorization (zero/one loss). We prove that in this case learnability is equivalent to compression of logarithmic sample size, and that uniform convergence implies compression of constant size. We then consider Vapnik's general learning setting: we show that in order to extend the compressibility-learnability equivalence to this case, it is necessary to consider an approximate variant of compression. Finally, we provide some applications of the compressibility-learnability equivalences: (i) Agnostic-case learnability and realizable-case learnability are equivalent in multiclass categorization problems (in terms of sample complexity). (ii) This equivalence between agnostic-case learnability and realizable-case learnability does not hold for general learning problems: Ther

preprint2017arXiv

Fooling Sets and the Spanning Tree Polytope

In the study of extensions of polytopes of combinatorial optimization problems, a notorious open question is that for the size of the smallest extended formulation of the Minimum Spanning Tree problem on a complete graph with $n$ nodes. The best known lower bound is $Ω(n^2)$, the best known upper bound is $O(n^3)$. In this note we show that the venerable fooling set method cannot be used to improve the lower bound: every fooling set for the Spanning Tree polytope has size $O(n^2)$.

preprint2017arXiv

Coloring graphs of various maximum degree from random lists

Let $G=G(n)$ be a graph on $n$ vertices with maximum degree $Δ=Δ(n)$. Assign to each vertex $v$ of $G$ a list $L(v)$ of colors by choosing each list independently and uniformly at random from all $k$-subsets of a color set $\mathcal{C}$ of size $σ= σ(n)$. Such a list assignment is called a \emph{random $(k,\mathcal{C})$-list assignment}. In this paper, we are interested in determining the asymptotic probability (as $n \to \infty$) of the existence of a proper coloring $φ$ of $G$, such that $φ(v) \in L(v)$ for every vertex $v$ of $G$, a so-called $L$-coloring. We give various lower bounds on $σ$, in terms of $n$, $k$ and $Δ$, which ensures that with probability tending to 1 as $n \to \infty$ there is an $L$-coloring of $G$. In particular, we show, for all fixed $k$ and growing $n$, that if $σ(n) = ω(n^{1/k^2} Δ^{1/k})$ and $Δ=O\left(n^{\frac{k-1}{k(k^3+ 2k^2 - k +1)}}\right)$, then the probability that $G$ has an $L$-coloring tends to 1 as $n \rightarrow \infty$. If $k\geq 2$ and $Δ= Ω(n^{1/2})$, then the same conclusion holds provided that $σ=ω(Δ)$. We also give related results for other bounds on $Δ$, when $k$ is constant or a strictly increasing function of $n$.

preprint2016arXiv

On Prefix Normal Words and Prefix Normal Forms

A $1$-prefix normal word is a binary word with the property that no factor has more $1$s than the prefix of the same length; a $0$-prefix normal word is defined analogously. These words arise in the context of indexed binary jumbled pattern matching, where the aim is to decide whether a word has a factor with a given number of $1$s and $0$s (a given Parikh vector). Each binary word has an associated set of Parikh vectors of the factors of the word. Using prefix normal words, we provide a characterization of the equivalence class of binary words having the same set of Parikh vectors of their factors. We prove that the language of prefix normal words is not context-free and is strictly contained in the language of pre-necklaces, which are prefixes of powers of Lyndon words. We give enumeration results on $\textit{pnw}(n)$, the number of prefix normal words of length $n$, showing that, for sufficiently large $n$, \[ 2^{n-4 \sqrt{n \lg n}} \le \textit{pnw}(n) \le 2^{n - \lg n + 1}. \] For fixed density (number of $1$s), we show that the ordinary generating function of the number of prefix normal words of length $n$ and density $d$ is a rational function. Finally, we give experimental r

preprint2016arXiv

Equivariant Perturbation in Gomory and Johnson's Infinite Group Problem. III. Foundations for the k-Dimensional Case with Applications to k=2

We develop foundational tools for classifying the extreme valid functions for the k-dimensional infinite group problem. In particular, (1) we present the general regular solution to Cauchy's additive functional equation on bounded convex domains. This provides a k-dimensional generalization of the so-called interval lemma, allowing us to deduce affine properties of the function from certain additivity relations. (2) We study the discrete geometry of additivity domains of piecewise linear functions, providing a framework for finite tests of minimality and extremality. (3) We give a theory of non-extremality certificates in the form of perturbation functions. We apply these tools in the context of minimal valid functions for the two-dimensional infinite group problem that are piecewise linear on a standard triangulation of the plane, under the assumption of a regularity condition called diagonal constrainedness. We show that the extremality of a minimal valid function is equivalent to the extremality of its restriction to a certain finite two-dimensional group problem. This gives an algorithm for testing the extremality of a given minimal valid function.

preprint2016arXiv

Online Square-into-Square Packing

In 1967, Moon and Moser proved a tight bound on the critical density of squares in squares: any set of squares with a total area of at most 1/2 can be packed into a unit square, which is tight. The proof requires full knowledge of the set, as the algorithmic solution consists in sorting the objects by decreasing size, and packing them greedily into shelves. Since then, the online version of the problem has remained open; the best upper bound is still 1/2, while the currently best lower bound is 1/3, due to Han et al. (2008). In this paper, we present a new lower bound of 11/32, based on a dynamic shelf allocation scheme, which may be interesting in itself. We also give results for the closely related problem in which the size of the square container is not fixed, but must be dynamically increased in order to ac- commodate online sequences of objects. For this variant, we establish an upper bound of 3/7 for the critical density, and a lower bound of 1/8. When aiming for accommodating an online sequence of squares, this corresponds to a 2.82...- competitive method for minimizing the required container size, and a lower bound of 1.33 . . . for the achievable factor.

preprint2015arXiv

Light on the Infinite Group Relaxation

This is a survey on the infinite group problem, an infinite-dimensional relaxation of integer linear optimization problems introduced by Ralph Gomory and Ellis Johnson in their groundbreaking papers titled "Some continuous functions related to corner polyhedra I, II" [Math. Programming 3 (1972), 23-85, 359-389]. The survey presents the infinite group problem in the modern context of cut generating functions. It focuses on the recent developments, such as algorithms for testing extremality and breakthroughs for the k-row problem for general k >= 1 that extend previous work on the single-row and two-row problems. The survey also includes some previously unpublished results; among other things, it unveils piecewise linear extreme functions with more than four different slopes. An interactive companion program, implemented in the open-source computer algebra package Sage, provides an updated compendium of known extreme functions.

preprint2017arXiv

Addressing Graph Products and Distance-Regular Graphs

Graham and Pollak showed that the vertices of any connected graph $G$ can be assigned $t$-tuples with entries in $\{0, a, b\}$, called addresses, such that the distance in $G$ between any two vertices equals the number of positions in their addresses where one of the addresses equals $a$ and the other equals $b$. In this paper, we are interested in determining the minimum value of such $t$ for various families of graphs. We develop two ways to obtain this value for the Hamming graphs and present a lower bound for the triangular graphs.

preprint2012arXiv

Equivariant Perturbation in Gomory and Johnson's Infinite Group Problem. II. The Unimodular Two-Dimensional Case

We give an algorithm for testing the extremality of a large class of minimal valid functions for the two-dimensional infinite group problem.

preprint2017arXiv

Algebraic Connectivity Under Site Percolation in Finite Weighted Graphs

We study the behavior of algebraic connectivity in a weighted graph that is subject to site percolation, random deletion of the vertices. Using a refined concentration inequality for random matrices we show in our main theorem that the (augmented) Laplacian of the percolated graph concentrates around its expectation. This concentration bound then provides a lower bound on the algebraic connectivity of the percolated graph. As a special case for $(n,d,λ)$-graphs (i.e., $d$-regular graphs on $n$ vertices with non-trivial eigenvalues less than $λ$ in magnitude) our result shows that, with high probability, the graph remains connected under a homogeneous site percolation with survival probability $p\ge 1-C_{1}n^{-C_{2}/d}$ with $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ depending only on $λ/d$.

preprint2016arXiv

Bounds on parameters of minimally non-linear patterns

Let $ex(n, P)$ be the maximum possible number of ones in any 0-1 matrix of dimensions $n \times n$ that avoids $P$. Matrix $P$ is called minimally non-linear if $ex(n, P) = ω(n)$ but $ex(n, P') = O(n)$ for every strict subpattern $P'$ of $P$. We prove that the ratio between the length and width of any minimally non-linear 0-1 matrix is at most $4$, and that a minimally non-linear 0-1 matrix with $k$ rows has at most $5k-3$ ones. We also obtain an upper bound on the number of minimally non-linear 0-1 matrices with $k$ rows. In addition, we prove corresponding bounds for minimally non-linear ordered graphs. The minimal non-linearity that we investigate for ordered graphs is for the extremal function $ex_{<}(n, G)$, which is the maximum possible number of edges in any ordered graph on $n$ vertices with no ordered subgraph isomorphic to $G$.

preprint2015arXiv

A Note on Easy and Efficient Computation of Full Abelian Periods of a Word

Constantinescu and Ilie (Bulletin of the EATCS 89, 167-170, 2006) introduced the idea of an Abelian period with head and tail of a finite word. An Abelian period is called full if both the head and the tail are empty. We present a simple and easy-to-implement $O(n\log\log n)$-time algorithm for computing all the full Abelian periods of a word of length $n$ over a constant-size alphabet. Experiments show that our algorithm significantly outperforms the $O(n)$ algorithm proposed by Kociumaka et al. (Proc. of STACS, 245-256, 2013) for the same problem.

preprint2016arXiv

Coalescing random walks and voting on connected graphs

In a coalescing random walk, a set of particles make independent random walks on a graph. Whenever one or more particles meet at a vertex, they unite to form a single particle, which then continues the random walk through the graph. Coalescing random walks can be used to achieve consensus in distributed networks, and is the basis of the self-stabilizing mutual exclusion algorithm of Israeli and Jalfon. Let G=(V,E), be an undirected, connected n vertex graph with m edges. Let C(n) be the expected time for all particles to coalesce, when initially one particle is located at each vertex of an n vertex graph. We study the problem of bounding the coalescence time C(n) for general classes of graphs. Our main result is that C(n)= O(1/(1-lambda_2))*((log n)^4 +n/A)), where lambda_2 is the absolute value of the second largest eigenvalue of the transition matrix of the random walk, A= (sum d^2(v))/(d^2 n), d(v) is the degree of vertex v, and d is the average node degree. The parameter A is an indicator of the variability of node degrees. Thus 1 <= A =O(n), with A=1 for regular graphs.

preprint2016arXiv

On the complete width and edge clique cover problems

A complete graph is the graph in which every two vertices are adjacent. For a graph $G=(V,E)$, the complete width of $G$ is the minimum $k$ such that there exist $k$ independent sets $\mathtt{N}_i\subseteq V$, $1\le i\le k$, such that the graph $G'$ obtained from $G$ by adding some new edges between certain vertices inside the sets $\mathtt{N}_i$, $1\le i\le k$, is a complete graph. The complete width problem is to decide whether the complete width of a given graph is at most $k$ or not. In this paper we study the complete width problem. We show that the complete width problem is NP-complete on $3K_2$-free bipartite graphs and polynomially solvable on $2K_2$-free bipartite graphs and on $(2K_2,C_4)$-free graphs. As a by-product, we obtain the following new results: the edge clique cover problem is NP-complete on $\overline{3K_2}$-free co-bipartite graphs and polynomially solvable on $C_4$-free co-bipartite graphs and on $(2K_2, C_4)$-free graphs. We also give a characterization for $k$-probe complete graphs which implies that the complete width problem admits a kernel of at most $2^k$ vertices. This provides another proof for the known fact that the edge clique cover problem ad

preprint2016arXiv

Graph Minors for Preserving Terminal Distances Approximately - Lower and Upper Bounds

Given a graph where vertices are partitioned into $k$ terminals and non-terminals, the goal is to compress the graph (i.e., reduce the number of non-terminals) using minor operations while preserving terminal distances approximately.The distortion of a compressed graph is the maximum multiplicative blow-up of distances between all pairs of terminals. We study the trade-off between the number of non-terminals and the distortion. This problem generalizes the Steiner Point Removal (SPR) problem, in which all non-terminals must be removed. We introduce a novel black-box reduction to convert any lower bound on distortion for the SPR problem into a super-linear lower bound on the number of non-terminals, with the same distortion, for our problem. This allows us to show that there exist graphs such that every minor with distortion less than $2~/~2.5~/~3$ must have $Ω(k^2)~/~Ω(k^{5/4})~/~Ω(k^{6/5})$ non-terminals, plus more trade-offs in between. The black-box reduction has an interesting consequence: if the tight lower bound on distortion for the SPR problem is super-constant, then allowing any $O(k)$ non-terminals will not help improving the lower bound to a constant. We also build on th

preprint2016arXiv

List-coloring apex-minor-free graphs

A graph H is t-apex if H-X is planar for some subset X of V(H) of size t. For any integer t>=0 and a fixed t-apex graph H, we give a polynomial-time algorithm to decide whether a (t+3)-connected H-minor-free graph is colorable from a given assignment of lists of size t+4. The connectivity requirement is the best possible in the sense that for every t>=1, there exists a t-apex graph H such that testing (t+4)-colorability of (t+2)-connected H-minor-free graphs is NP-complete. Similarly, the size of the lists cannot be decreased (unless P=NP), since for every t>=1, testing (t+3)-list-colorability of (t+3)-connected K_{t+4}-minor-free graphs is NP-complete.

preprint2016arXiv

On-line approach to off-line coloring problems on graphs with geometric representations

The main goal of this paper is to formalize and explore a connection between chromatic properties of graphs with geometric representations and competitive analysis of on-line algorithms, which became apparent after the recent construction of triangle-free geometric intersection graphs with arbitrarily large chromatic number due to Pawlik et al. We show that on-line graph coloring problems give rise to classes of game graphs with a natural geometric interpretation. We use this concept to estimate the chromatic number of graphs with geometric representations by finding, for appropriate simpler graphs, on-line coloring algorithms using few colors or proving that no such algorithms exist. We derive upper and lower bounds on the maximum chromatic number that rectangle overlap graphs, subtree overlap graphs, and interval filament graphs (all of which generalize interval overlap graphs) can have when their clique number is bounded. The bounds are absolute for interval filament graphs and asymptotic of the form $(\log\log n)^{f(ω)}$ for rectangle and subtree overlap graphs, where $f(ω)$ is a polynomial function of the clique number and $n$ is the number of vertices. In particular, we provi

preprint2015arXiv

Strongly even-cycle decomposable graphs

A graph is strongly even-cycle decomposable if the edge set of every subdivision with an even number of edges can be partitioned into cycles of even length. We prove that several fundamental composition operations that preserve the property of being Eulerian also yield strongly even-cycle decomposable graphs. As an easy application of our theorems, we give an exact characterization of the set of strongly even-cycle decomposable cographs.

preprint2016arXiv

On Fredholm determinants in topology

Given an abstract simplicial complex G, the connection graph G' of G has as vertex set the faces of the complex and connects two if they intersect. If A is the adjacency matrix of that connection graph, we prove that the Fredholm characteristic det(1+A) takes values in {-1,1} and is equal to the Fermi characteristic, which is the product of the w(x), where w(x)=(-1)^dim(x). The Fredholm characteristic is a special value of the Bowen-Lanford zeta function and has various combinatorial interpretations. The unimodularity theorem proven here shows that it is a cousin of the Euler characteristic as the later is the sum of the w(x). Unimodularity implies that the matrix 1+A has an inverse which takes integer values. Experiments suggest the conjecture that the range of the Green function values, the union of the entries of the inverse of 1+A form a combinatorial invariant of the simplicial complex and do not change under Barycentric or edge refinements.

preprint2016arXiv

Discordant voting processes on finite graphs

We consider an asynchronous voting process on graphs which we call discordant voting, and which can be described as follows. Initially each vertex holds one of two opinions, red or blue say. Neighbouring vertices with different opinions interact pairwise. After an interaction both vertices have the same colour. The quantity of interest is T, the time to reach consensus , i.e. the number of interactions needed for all vertices have the same colour. An edge whose endpoint colours differ (i.e. one vertex is coloured red and the other one blue) is said to be discordant. A vertex is discordant if its is incident with a discordant edge. In discordant voting, all interactions are based on discordant edges. Because the voting process is asynchronous there are several ways to update the colours of the interacting vertices. Push: Pick a random discordant vertex and push its colour to a random discordant neighbour. Pull: Pick a random discordant vertex and pull the colour of a random discordant neighbour. Oblivious: Pick a random endpoint of a random discordant edge and push the colour to the other end point. We show that E(T), the expected time to reach consensus, depends strongly on the und

preprint2016arXiv

Readability of digraphs and bipartite graphs

In the final project paper we consider a graph parameter called readability. Motivation for readability comes from bioinformatics applications. Graphs arising in problems related to genome sequencing are of small readability, which motivates the study of graphs of small readability. We present an algorithm due to Braga and Meidanis, which shows that every digraph is isomorphic to the overlap graph of some set of strings. An upper bound on readability is derived from the algorithm. The readability parameter can also be defined for bipartite graphs; in the final project paper special emphasis is given to the bipartite model. The complexity of computing the readability of a given digraph (or of a given bipartite graph) is unknown. A way for the exact computation of readability is presented using Integer Linear Programming. We also present two approaches for computing upper and lower bounds for readability due to Chikhi at al. Finally, the readability is computed exactly for toroidal and two-dimensional grid graphs and a polynomial time algorithm for constructing an optimal overlap labeling of a given two-dimensional or toroidal grid graph is presented.

preprint2016arXiv

Supercritical Space-Width Trade-offs for Resolution

We show that there are CNF formulas which can be refuted in resolution in both small space and small width, but for which any small-width proof must have space exceeding by far the linear worst-case upper bound. This significantly strengthens the space-width trade-offs in [Ben-Sasson '09]}, and provides one more example of trade-offs in the "supercritical" regime above worst case recently identified by [Razborov '16]. We obtain our results by using Razborov's new hardness condensation technique and combining it with the space lower bounds in [Ben-Sasson and Nordstrom '08].

preprint2016arXiv

No-hole $λ$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling for Square Grid

Given a fixed $k$ $\in$ $\mathbb{Z}^+$ and $λ$ $\in$ $\mathbb{Z}^+$, the objective of a $λ$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling of a graph $G$ is to assign non-negative integers (known as labels) from the set $\{0, \ldots, λ-1\}$ to the vertices of $G$ such that the adjacent vertices receive values which differ by at least $k$, vertices connected by a path of length two receive values which differ by at least $k-1$, and so on. The vertices which are at least $k+1$ distance apart can receive the same label. The smallest $λ$ for which there exists a $λ$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling of $G$ is known as the $L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling number of $G$ and is denoted by $λ_k(G)$. The ratio between the upper bound and the lower bound of a $λ$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling is known as the approximation ratio. In this paper a lower bound on the value of the labeling number for square grid is computed and a formula is proposed which yields a $λ$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling of square grid, with approximation ratio at most $\frac{9}{8}$. The labeling presented is a no-hole one, i.e., it uses each label from $0$ to $λ-1$ at least once.

339 works