3-packings in Triangulations: Algorithms, bounds, and Complexity

We study $H$-packings in plane triangulations for the three-vertex graphs $H\in\{P_3,K_3,P_2\cup P_1\}$. For a graph $H$, let $\lambda_H(G)$ denote the maximum size of an $H$-packing in $G$, with the convention that for $H=P_2\cup P_1$ the copies are required to be induced. For $P_3$-packings, we prove that every triangulation $G$ on $n$ vertices satisfies $\lambda_{P_3}(G)\ge \left\lfloor \frac n5\right\rfloor$, and show that this lower bound is asymptotically tight. We also study triangle packings in triangulations and provide lower bounds for $\lambda_{K_3}(G)$ in terms of the maximum degree and the degree sequence. We give a face-path characterization of triangle factors in $4$-connected plane triangulations using a hamiltonian cycle and the weak duals of the two associated maximal outerplanar graphs. Finally, for induced packings by $P_2\cup P_1$, we prove that every plane triangulation $T$ on $n$ vertices satisfies $\lambda_{P_2\cup P_1}(T)\ge \left\lfloor \frac n3\right\rfloor-2$, and show that such a packing can be found in polynomial time.