arXiv subjects

Steven Van Overberghe

Publications and source records attributed to Steven Van Overberghe.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Some remarks on Folkman graphs for triangles

Folkman's theorem asserts the existence of graphs $G$ which are $K_4$-free, but which have the property that every two-coloring of $E(G)$ contains a monochromatic triangle. The quantitative aspects of $f(2,3,4)$, the least $n$ such that there exists an $n$-vertex graph with both properties above, are notoriously difficult; a series of improvements over the span of two decades witnessed the solution to two \$100 Erdős problems, and the current record due to Lange, Radziszowski, and Xu now stands at $f(2,3,4) \leq 786$,with another \$100 problem of Graham asking for a proof that $f(2,3,4) < 100$. In this paper, we study Folkman-like properties of a sequence $H_q$ of finite geometric graphs constructed using Hermitian unitals in projective planes and present some evidence that the graph $H_3$, which has 63 vertices, might contain a Folkman graph as a proper subgraph. More precisely, we first prove that for all prime powers $q \geq 3$, there exists a system $\mathscr{T}_q$ of triangles in $H_q$ such that no four span a $K_4$ in $H_q$, but every two-coloring of $E(H_q)$ induces a monochromatic triangle in $\mathscr{T}_q$. We then show that a certain random alteration of $H_q$ which destroys all of its $K_4$'s will, for large $q$, maintain the Ramsey property with high probability.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Bounds for the ratio between the domination number and the independent domination number

In this article we present new and improved results for the ratio between the independent domination number and the domination number in graphs with bounded degree. We present a general formula, that, for a fixed maximum degree, allows to compute an upper bound for this ratio as a function of an upper bound $β|V|$ for the independent domination number. We also apply this formula to several known upper bounds for the independent domination number. Furthermore we present constructions giving lower bounds for the best possible upper bound in various classes of graphs with bounded degree.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

On Small Folkman Graphs Arrowing $K_2$ or $K_3$

For a graph $G$ and integers $a_i \geq 1$, we say that $G \xrightarrow[]{} (a_1, \ldots, a_k)^v$ if in any $k$-coloring of $G$'s vertices there exists a monochromatic $a_i$-clique for some color $i \in \{1,\ldots,k\}$. $G \xrightarrow[]{} (a_1, \ldots, a_k)^e$ is defined similarly, but for edge colorings. The Folkman number $F_v(a_1, \ldots, a_k; H)$ is the smallest number of vertices for which an $H$-free graph arrowing $(a_1, \ldots, a_k)^v$ exists. $F_e(a_1, \ldots, a_k; H)$ is defined similarly for edge-arrowing. In this work, we present new bounds for Folkman numbers where $a_i \in \{2,3\}$ and $k \leq 4$, while avoiding $K_n$, $J_n$, for $n \in \{4,5,6\}$, where $K_n$ is the complete graph on $n$ vertices and $J_n$ is $K_n$ missing an edge. We also present results for $C_4$-free and $W_5$-free graphs, where $C_4$ is the cycle on four vertices and $W_5$ is the wheel graph on five vertices. Notably, we prove the existence of $F_e(3,3;W_5)$, leaving only one graph, $\overline{P_2 \cup P_3}$, on five vertices for which the existence problem of $F_e(3,3;H)$ remains open. We provide some theoretical results that should aid in uncovering the existence of $F_v(3,3; \overline{P_2 \cup P_3})$. Our new bounds are the result of a variety of methods involving filters, extension, semi-polycirculant graphs, locally linear graphs, and the modification of special graphs. Most of our bounds are from the semi-polycirculant graph generator, showcasing its efficacy for finding witness Folkman graphs.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Generation of Cycle Permutation Graphs and Permutation Snarks

We present an algorithm for the efficient generation of all pairwise non-isomorphic cycle permutation graphs, i.e. cubic graphs with a $2$-factor consisting of two chordless cycles, non-hamiltonian cycle permutation graphs and permutation snarks, i.e. cycle permutation graphs that do not admit a $3$-edge-colouring. This allows us to generate all cycle permutation graphs up to order $34$ and all permutation snarks up to order $46$, improving upon previous computational results by Brinkmann et al. Moreover, we give several improved lower bounds for interesting permutation snarks, such as for a smallest permutation snark of order $6 \bmod 8$ or a smallest permutation snark of girth at least $6$ and give more evidence in support of a conjecture of Goddyn. These computational results also allow us to complete a characterisation of the orders for which non-hamiltonian cycle permutation graphs exist, answering an open question by Klee from 1972, and yield many more counterexamples to conjectures by Jackson and Zhang.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Algorithms for the Generation of Snarks

The essential requirement for a cubic graph to be called a snark is that it can not be edge-coloured with three colours. To avoid trivial cases, varying restrictions on the connectivity are imposed. Snarks are not only interesting in themselves, but also a valuable test field for conjectures about graphs that are not snarks and sometimes not even cubic. For many important open problems in graph theory it is proven that minimal counterexamples would be snarks. We give two new algorithms for the generation of snarks and results of computer programs implementing these algorithms. One algorithm is for snarks with girth exactly 4 and is used for generating complete lists of girth 4 snarks on up to 40 vertices. The second algorithm lists snarks with girth at least 5 and is used for generating complete lists of such snarks on up to 38 vertices. We also give complete lists of strong snarks (in the terminology of Jaeger) on up to 40 vertices.

math.CO↗

arXiv2024

Small Ramsey numbers for books, wheels, and generalizations

In this work, we give several new upper and lower bounds on Ramsey numbers for books and wheels, including a tight upper bound establishing $R(W_5, W_7) = 15$, matching upper and lower bounds giving $R(W_5, W_9) = 18$, $R(B_2, B_8) = 21$, and $R(B_3, B_7) = 20$, and a number of additional tight lower bounds for books. We use a range of different methods: flag algebras, local search, bottom-up generation, and enumeration of polycirculant graphs. We also explore generalized Ramsey numbers using similar methods. Let $GR(r,K_s,t)$ denote the minimum number of vertices $n$ such that any $r$-edge-coloring of $K_n$ has a copy of $K_s$ with at most $t$ colors. We establish $GR(3,K_4,2) = 10, GR(4,K_4,3) = 10$, and some additional bounds.

math.CO↗

arXiv2021

New bounds for Ramsey numbers $R(K_k-e,K_l-e)$

Let $R(H_1,H_2)$ denote the Ramsey number for the graphs $H_1, H_2$, and let $J_k$ be $K_k{-}e$. We present algorithms which enumerate all circulant and block-circulant Ramsey graphs for different types of graphs, thereby obtaining several new lower bounds on Ramsey numbers including: $49 \leq R(K_3,J_{12})$, $36 \leq R(J_4,K_8)$, $43 \leq R(J_4,J_{10})$, $52 \leq R(K_4,J_8)$, $37 \leq R(J_5,J_6)$, $43 \leq R(J_5,K_6)$, $65\leq R(J_5,J_7)$. We also use a gluing strategy to derive a new upper bound on $R(J_5,J_6)$. With both strategies combined, we prove the value of two Ramsey numbers: $R(J_5,J_6)=37$ and $R(J_5,J_7)=65$. We also show that the 64-vertex extremal Ramsey graph for $R(J_5,J_7)$ is unique. Furthermore, our algorithms also allow to establish new lower bounds and exact values on Ramsey numbers involving wheel graphs and complete bipartite graphs, including: $R(W_7,W_4) = 21$, $R(W_7,W_7) = 19$, $R(K_{3,4},K_{3,4}) = 25$, and $R(K_{3,5}, K_{3,5})=33$.

math.CO↗