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Graph Theory Simplified Revision Notes

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10.2.1 Graph Theory

Introduction to Graph Theory

A graph is a mathematical structure consisting of:

  • Vertices (or Nodes): Represented as points.
  • Edges: Represented as lines connecting vertices. Graphs are used to model relationships and interactions in areas such as networks, transportation, and communication.

Types of Graphs

Complete Graphs

A complete graph is a graph where every pair of vertices is connected by a unique edge.

  • Notation: A complete graph with nn vertices is denoted as KnK_n
  • Properties:
    • Number of edges in KnK_n
Edges=n(n1)2\text{Edges} = \frac{n(n-1)}{2}
  • Each vertex has degree n1n-1 (connected to all other vertices).
lightbulbExample

Example: Complete Graphs

  1. K3K_3: A triangle with 3 vertices and 3 edges.
  2. K4K_4: A graph with 4 vertices, all connected, with 6 edges.

Planar Graphs

A planar graph can be drawn on a plane without any edges crossing.

Euler's Formula: For a connected planar graph:

ve+f=2v - e + f = 2

where vv is the number of vertices, ee is the number of edges, and ff is the number of faces (regions, including the outer region).

lightbulbExample

Example: Planar Graph The graph of a cube (when unfolded as a flat net) is planar.

Non-Planar Graphs

  • K5K_5: Complete graph with 5 vertices.
  • K3,3K_{3,3}: Bipartite graph with two sets of 3 vertices (e.g., utilities problem).

Isomorphic Graphs

Two graphs are isomorphic if they have:

  1. The same number of vertices.
  2. The same number of edges.
  3. The same degree sequence (degrees of vertices match). Isomorphic graphs may look different but are structurally identical.

Worked Examples

infoNote

Example 1: KnK_n Properties

Problem:

Find the number of edges in K7K_7 and the degree of each vertex.


Solution:

  1. n=7n=7
  2. Number of Edges:
Edges=7(71)2=21\text{Edges} = \frac{7(7-1)}{2} = 21
  1. Degree of Each Vertex: Each vertex is connected to 71=67-1=6 other vertices.

Answer: K7K_7 has 21 edges, and each vertex has degree 6.

infoNote

Example 2: Planarity Check Using Euler's Formula


Problem:

A graph has 6 vertices, 10 edges, and 1 face. Is it planar?


Solution:

Using Euler's formula:

ve+f=2v - e + f = 2

Substitute v=6,e=10,f=1v = 6, e = 10, f = 1

610+1=326 - 10 + 1 = -3 \neq 2

The formula is not satisfied, so the graph is not planar.

infoNote

Example 3: Testing for Isomorphism

Problem:

Check if the following graphs are isomorphic:

  1. Graph A: Vertices A,B,C,DA, B, C, D, edges AB,AC,AD,BC AB, AC, AD, BC
  2. Graph B: Vertices W,X,Y,ZW, X, Y, Z, edges WX,WY,WZ,XYWX, WY, WZ, XY

Solution:

  1. Number of Vertices: Both have 4 vertices.
  2. Number of Edges: Both have 4 edges.
  3. Degree Sequence:
  • Graph A: {3,2,1,1}\{3, 2, 1, 1\}
  • Graph B: {3,2,1,1}\{3, 2, 1, 1\} Since all conditions match, the graphs are isomorphic.

Note Summary

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Common Mistakes

  1. Forgetting Euler's Formula: Always check for planarity with ve+f=2v - e + f = 2
  2. Misinterpreting Isomorphism: Ensure degree sequences and edge connections match.
  3. Counting Errors in KnK_n: Verify the formula n(n1)2\frac{n(n-1)}{2}
  4. Assuming all graphs are planar: Some graphs like K5K_5 and K3,3K_{3,3} are inherently non-planar.
  5. Overlooking faces: Include the outer region when calculating ff in planar graphs.
infoNote

Key Formulas

  1. Edges in KnK_n:
Edges=n(n1)2\text{Edges} = \frac{n(n-1)}{2}
  1. Euler's Formula (Planar Graph):
ve+f=2v - e + f = 2
  1. Degree of Each Vertex in KnK_n:
Degree=n1\text{Degree} = n - 1
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