Math Problem Statement

Show that if G and H are isomorphic graphs, then each pair of corresponding vertices of G and H has the same degree.

Solution

To show that if two graphs GG and HH are isomorphic, then each pair of corresponding vertices has the same degree, we can proceed as follows:

Definitions

  1. Graph Isomorphism: Two graphs GG and HH are isomorphic if there exists a bijection f:V(G)V(H)f: V(G) \to V(H) such that:

    • For every edge (u,v)E(G)(u, v) \in E(G), the edge (f(u),f(v))E(H)(f(u), f(v)) \in E(H).
    • Conversely, for every edge (x,y)E(H)(x, y) \in E(H), the edge (f1(x),f1(y))E(G)(f^{-1}(x), f^{-1}(y)) \in E(G).
  2. Degree of a Vertex: The degree of a vertex vv in a graph is the number of edges incident to vv.

Proof

  1. Let GG and HH be isomorphic graphs with a bijective mapping f:V(G)V(H)f: V(G) \to V(H).

  2. Take any vertex uV(G)u \in V(G). By definition of isomorphism, the image of uu under ff is f(u)V(H)f(u) \in V(H).

  3. The degree of vertex uu in GG, denoted as degG(u)\deg_G(u), is the number of edges incident to uu. Let's denote the edges incident to uu as (u,v1),(u,v2),,(u,vk)(u, v_1), (u, v_2), \ldots, (u, v_k), where v1,v2,,vkv_1, v_2, \ldots, v_k are the vertices adjacent to uu.

  4. Since GG is isomorphic to HH, each edge (u,vi)(u, v_i) corresponds to an edge (f(u),f(vi))(f(u), f(v_i)) in HH. Thus, f(v1),f(v2),,f(vk)f(v_1), f(v_2), \ldots, f(v_k) are the vertices adjacent to f(u)f(u) in HH.

  5. Therefore, the degree of the vertex f(u)f(u) in HH is given by: degH(f(u))=Number of edges incident to f(u)=k=degG(u)\deg_H(f(u)) = \text{Number of edges incident to } f(u) = k = \deg_G(u)

  6. This reasoning holds for any vertex uV(G)u \in V(G). Thus, we conclude that: degH(f(u))=degG(u)\deg_H(f(u)) = \deg_G(u) for every vertex uu.

  7. Since ff is a bijection, we can say that for any corresponding vertices uu in GG and f(u)f(u) in HH, they have equal degrees: degG(u)=degH(f(u))\deg_G(u) = \deg_H(f(u))

Conclusion

Hence, if GG and HH are isomorphic graphs, then each pair of corresponding vertices of GG and HH has the same degree.

Questions or Clarifications?

Would you like to explore more about graph isomorphism, or do you have any questions about this proof? Here are some related topics you might find interesting:

  1. What are examples of isomorphic graphs?
  2. How can we determine if two graphs are isomorphic?
  3. What are the implications of isomorphism in graph theory?
  4. Can isomorphic graphs have different representations?
  5. What are other properties preserved under graph isomorphism?

Tip: To understand graph theory better, try visualizing graphs and their isomorphisms by drawing them out!

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Graph Theory
Graph Isomorphism
Vertex Degree

Formulas

Degree of a Vertex: deg_G(u) = Number of edges incident to vertex u

Theorems

Graph Isomorphism Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12