Math Problem Statement

Vertex colouring in graphs. Determine the minimum number of colours needed to assign a colour to each vertex of the following five graphs, so that no two adjacent vertices get the same colour. Justify why it is the minimum number!

Vertex colouring in graphs. Determine the minimum number of colours needed to assign a colour to each vertex of the following five graphs, so that no two adjacent vertices get the same colour. Justify why it is the minimum number!

Solution

The task requires determining the minimum number of colors, known as the chromatic number, needed to color each vertex of the five graphs provided, such that no two adjacent vertices share the same color. I'll analyze each graph to find its chromatic number.

1. First Graph: A Cycle (C₇)

  • This is a 7-cycle with 7 vertices.
  • A cycle with an odd number of vertices has a chromatic number of 3. This is because it requires alternating colors, and the odd vertex causes a need for a third color.
  • Chromatic number: 3.

2. Second Graph: A Complete Graph (K₅)

  • This is a complete graph with 5 vertices. In a complete graph, each vertex is adjacent to every other vertex.
  • A complete graph with nn vertices has a chromatic number of nn.
  • Chromatic number: 5.

3. Third Graph: A Ladder Graph

  • This graph consists of two rows of 5 vertices, where each vertex is connected to its neighbor both horizontally and vertically.
  • Ladder graphs are bipartite, meaning they can be colored with 2 colors.
  • Chromatic number: 2.

4. Fourth Graph: Bipartite with Additional Edges

  • This graph appears to have 6 vertices arranged in a bipartite form, but with an additional edge crossing between the two partitions.
  • Since it retains its bipartite structure (two distinct sets of vertices), it can still be colored with 2 colors.
  • Chromatic number: 2.

5. Fifth Graph: A Complete Graph with Substructure (K₅ with a Subgraph)

  • The fifth graph resembles a K₅ but with one internal vertex forming a pentagon-like shape, so it closely resembles a wheel graph.
  • A wheel graph with 5 outer vertices and 1 center vertex has a chromatic number of 3.
  • Chromatic number: 3.

Summary of Chromatic Numbers:

  1. First graph: 3
  2. Second graph: 5
  3. Third graph: 2
  4. Fourth graph: 2
  5. Fifth graph: 3

Would you like further explanations or a breakdown of the steps for any specific graph? Here are 5 related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. Why do odd cycles have a chromatic number of 3 while even cycles have a chromatic number of 2?
  2. How does a complete graph's structure affect its chromatic number?
  3. Can bipartite graphs ever require more than 2 colors for vertex coloring?
  4. What are the conditions that make a graph non-planar, and how do those relate to chromatic number?
  5. How does adding edges to a graph influence its chromatic number?

Tip: For bipartite graphs, use two sets of colors to cover vertices where no adjacent vertices are in the same set!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Graph Theory
Chromatic Number
Vertex Coloring

Formulas

Chromatic number (χ) represents the minimum number of colors required to color the vertices of a graph so that no two adjacent vertices share the same color.

Theorems

The chromatic number of a cycle graph C_n with odd n is 3.
The chromatic number of a complete graph K_n is n.
Bipartite graphs have a chromatic number of 2.

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12