Independent Sets of Random Trees and Sparse Random Graphs
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT An independent set of size in a finite undirected graph is a set of vertices of the graph, no two of which are connected by an edge. Let be the number of independent sets of size in the graph and let . In 1987, Alavi, Malde, Schwenk, and Erdős asked if the independent set sequence of a tree is unimodal (the sequence goes up and then down). This problem is still open. In 2006, Levit and Mandrescu showed that the last third of the independent set sequence of a tree is decreasing. We show that the first 46.8% of the independent set sequence of a random tree is increasing with (exponentially) high probability as the number of vertices goes to infinity. So, the question of Alavi, Malde, Schwenk, and Erdős is “four‐fifths true,” with high probability. We also show unimodality of the independent set sequence of Erdős–Rényi random graphs, when the expected degree of a single vertex is large (with [exponentially] high probability as the number of vertices in the graph goes to infinity, except for a small region near the mode). A weaker result is shown for random regular graphs. The structure of independent sets of size as varies is of interest in probability, statistical physics, combinatorics, and computer science.
Source: Journal of Graph Theory
DOI: 10.1002/jgt.23225
Author: Steven Heilman
Institution: University of Southern California
Language: English
Subfield: Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,150
OpenAlex ID: W4407371839