Math Problem Statement

Show that if G is a non-regular graph of order n and size rn/2 for some integer r with 1 ≤ r ≤ n − 2, then ∆(G) − δ(G) ≥ 2.

Solution

To show that if GG is a non-regular graph of order nn and size rn2\frac{rn}{2} for some integer rr with 1rn21 \leq r \leq n - 2, then the difference between the maximum degree Δ(G)\Delta(G) and the minimum degree δ(G)\delta(G) is at least 2, we can proceed as follows:

Definitions:

  1. Order nn: The number of vertices in the graph GG.
  2. Size mm: The number of edges in the graph GG. Here, m=rn2m = \frac{rn}{2}.
  3. Maximum degree Δ(G)\Delta(G): The highest degree of any vertex in GG.
  4. Minimum degree δ(G)\delta(G): The lowest degree of any vertex in GG.
  5. Non-regular graph: A graph where not all vertices have the same degree.

Proof:

  1. Graph parameters:

    • GG has nn vertices.
    • GG has rn2\frac{rn}{2} edges.
  2. Degree sum formula:

    • The sum of the degrees of all vertices in GG is 2m2m (since each edge contributes to the degree of two vertices).
    • Thus, vV(G)deg(v)=2m=rn\sum_{v \in V(G)} \deg(v) = 2m = rn.
  3. Average degree:

    • The average degree of a vertex in GG is vV(G)deg(v)n=rnn=r\frac{\sum_{v \in V(G)} \deg(v)}{n} = \frac{rn}{n} = r.
  4. Non-regularity condition:

    • GG is non-regular, which means there exists at least one vertex with a degree higher than rr and at least one vertex with a degree lower than rr.
    • Let Δ(G)\Delta(G) be the maximum degree of GG and δ(G)\delta(G) be the minimum degree of GG.
  5. Degree constraints:

    • Since GG is non-regular, we have Δ(G)>r\Delta(G) > r and δ(G)<r\delta(G) < r.
  6. Establishing the bound:

    • Consider the extreme cases:
      • If Δ(G)=r+1\Delta(G) = r+1 and δ(G)=r1\delta(G) = r-1: Δ(G)δ(G)=(r+1)(r1)=2.\Delta(G) - \delta(G) = (r+1) - (r-1) = 2.
    • This is the smallest difference between the maximum and minimum degrees in a non-regular graph that satisfies the given constraints.
    • If Δ(G)\Delta(G) were greater than r+1r+1 or δ(G)\delta(G) were less than r1r-1, the difference Δ(G)δ(G)\Delta(G) - \delta(G) would be even larger.
  7. Conclusion:

    • Therefore, the minimum possible value for Δ(G)δ(G)\Delta(G) - \delta(G) in a non-regular graph of order nn and size rn2\frac{rn}{2} is 2.
    • Hence, Δ(G)δ(G)2\Delta(G) - \delta(G) \geq 2.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five numbered questions you might want to ask next:

  1. Can you provide an example of a non-regular graph that satisfies these conditions?
  2. How do these properties change if GG were a regular graph?
  3. What are the implications of this result in graph theory?
  4. Can you explain more about the degree sum formula?
  5. How do we generalize this result to other types of graphs?

Tip: When proving inequalities involving graph parameters, it's often helpful to consider the definitions and properties of the graph, and to think about the extreme cases that could establish the bounds.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Graph Theory
Degree of a Vertex
Non-Regular Graphs

Formulas

Degree sum formula: \( \sum_{v \in V(G)} \deg(v) = 2m \)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Level