English

Choice numbers of graphs

Discrete Mathematics 2008-02-18 v1 Computational Complexity Data Structures and Algorithms

Abstract

A solution to a problem of Erd\H{o}s, Rubin and Taylor is obtained by showing that if a graph GG is (a:b)(a:b)-choosable, and c/d>a/bc/d > a/b, then GG is not necessarily (c:d)(c:d)-choosable. The simplest case of another problem, stated by the same authors, is settled, proving that every 2-choosable graph is also (4:2)(4:2)-choosable. Applying probabilistic methods, an upper bound for the kthk^{th} choice number of a graph is given. We also prove that a directed graph with maximum outdegree dd and no odd directed cycle is (k(d+1):k)(k(d+1):k)-choosable for every k1k \geq 1. Other results presented in this article are related to the strong choice number of graphs (a generalization of the strong chromatic number). We conclude with complexity analysis of some decision problems related to graph choosability.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0802.2157,
  title  = {Choice numbers of graphs},
  author = {Shai Gutner},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.2157},
  year   = {2008}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:12:51.274Z