English

On spanning tree edge denpendences of graphs

Combinatorics 2022-03-29 v1

Abstract

Let τ(G)\tau(G) and τG(e)\tau_G(e) be the number of spanning trees of a connected graph GG and the number of spanning trees of GG containing edge ee. The ratio dG(e)=τG(e)/τ(G)d_{G}(e)=\tau_{G}(e)/\tau(G) is called the spanning tree edge density of ee, or simply density of ee. The maximum density \mboxdep(G)=maxeE(G)dG(e)\mbox{dep}(G)=\max\limits_{e\in E(G)}d_{G}(e) is called the spanning tree edge dependence of GG, or simply dependence of GG. Given a rational number p/q(0,1)p/q\in (0,1), if there exists a graph GG and an edge eE(G)e\in E(G) such that dG(e)=p/qd_{G}(e)=p/q, then we say the density p/qp/q is constructible. More specially, if there exists a graph GG such that \mboxdep(G)=p/q\mbox{dep}(G)=p/q, then we say the dependence p/qp/q is constructible. In 2002, Ferrara, Gould, and Suffel raised the open problem of which rational densities and dependences are constructible. In 2016, Kahl provided constructions that show all rational densities and dependences are constructible. Moreover, He showed that all rational densities are constructible even if GG is restricted to bipartite graphs or planar graphs. He thus conjectured that all rational dependences are also constructible even if GG is restricted to bipartite graphs (Conjecture 1), or planar graphs (Conjecture 2). In this paper, by combinatorial and electric network approach, firstly, we show that all rational dependences are constructible via bipartite graphs, which confirms the first conjecture of Kahl. Secondly, we show that all rational dependences are constructible for planar multigraphs, which confirms Kahl's second conjecture for planar multigraphs. However, for (simple) planar graphs, we disprove the second conjecture of Kahl by showing that the dependence of any planar graph is larger than 13\frac{1}{3}. On the other hand, we construct a family of planar graphs that show all rational dependences p/q>12p/q>\frac{1}{2} are constructible via planar graphs.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2203.14566,
  title  = {On spanning tree edge denpendences of graphs},
  author = {Yujun Yang and Can Xu},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2203.14566},
  year   = {2022}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-24T10:28:00.575Z