English

A Sane Proof that COLk \le COL3

Computational Complexity 2016-01-29 v2 Combinatorics

Abstract

Let COLk be the set of all k-colorable graphs. It is easy to show that if a<b then COLa \le COLb (poly time reduction). Using the Cook-Levin theorem it is easy to show that if 3 \le a< b then COLb \le COLa. However this proof is insane in that it translates a graph to a formula and then the formula to a graph. We give a simple proof that COLk \le COL3.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1407.5128,
  title  = {A Sane Proof that COLk \le COL3},
  author = {William Gasarch},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1407.5128},
  year   = {2016}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T05:07:54.010Z