English

The seating couple problem in even case

Combinatorics 2023-09-01 v1

Abstract

In this paper we consider the seating couple problem with an even number of seats, which, using graph theory terminology, can be stated as follows. Given a positive even integer v=2nv=2n and a list LL containing nn positive integers not exceeding nn, is it always possible to find a perfect matching of KvK_v whose list of edge-lengths is LL? Up to now a (non-constructive) solution is known only when all the edge-lengths are coprime with vv. In this paper we firstly present some necessary conditions for the existence of a solution. Then, we give a complete constructive solution when the list consists of one or two distinct elements, and when the list consists of consecutive integers 1,2,,x1,2,\ldots,x, each one appearing with the same multiplicity. Finally, we propose a conjecture and some open problems.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2308.16553,
  title  = {The seating couple problem in even case},
  author = {M. Meszka and A. Pasotti and M. A. Pellegrini},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2308.16553},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

16 pages

R2 v1 2026-06-28T12:09:07.889Z