Introduction to Graph Theory · Problem 6.1

Colorings — Darij Grinberg

Mathematics — Graph Theory · proper-colorings

Problem

Let GG be a simple graph with nn vertices. Let kk be a positive integer. Prove the following: ((a)) If GG has a proper kk-coloring, then GG has no subgraph isomorphic to Kk+1K_{k+1}. ((b)) If k≥n−2k \geq n - 2, then the converse to part (a) also holds: If GG has no subgraph isomorphic to Kk+1K_{k+1}, then GG has a proper kk-coloring. ((c)) Does the converse to part (a) hold for k<n−2k < n - 2 as well? Specifically, does it hold for n=5n = 5 and k=2k = 2?

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