Proper Subgraph - 1.3 | 27. Various Operations on Graphs | Discrete Mathematics - Vol 2
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Introduction to Subgraphs

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to discuss subgraphs. Does anyone know what a subgraph is?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it just a part of some graph?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A subgraph consists of a subset of vertices and edges from the original graph. It maintains some structure derived from the parent graph. For example, if G has vertices {A, B, C} and edges {(A, B), (B, C)}, then H can have vertices {A, B} and an edge {(A, B)} from G.

Student 2
Student 2

What makes it a 'proper' subgraph?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! A proper subgraph must have at least one vertex or edge that is not present in the parent graph. So, for instance, if we have a graph G and a subgraph H such that H has all vertices of G but lacks one edge, it is considered a proper subgraph of G.

Defining Proper Subgraph

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's dive deeper. So, how would we formally define a proper subgraph?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it should include all the vertices and at least some edges, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Close! A proper subgraph H of G must be a subgraph where the vertex set of H is a proper subset of G's vertex set. Additionally, the edge set must consist of edges that are present in G. This means if G has vertices A, B, C, and D, for H to be a proper subgraph, it might only involve A and B along with the edge (A, B) but cannot include all edges connecting to D.

Student 4
Student 4

So if H has every vertex and edge that G has, then it’s not a proper subgraph?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! That is a key point to remember.

Induced Subgraphs

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s talk about induced subgraphs. Does anyone know what makes an induced subgraph unique?

Student 1
Student 1

It takes a subset of vertices and includes all edges between those vertices?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Given a subset of vertices W from graph G, the induced subgraph contains all edges that connect vertices in W. For example, if W includes {A, C}, the induced subgraph will only include edges directly connecting A and C from G.

Student 2
Student 2

But could an induced subgraph also be a proper subgraph?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, that’s correct. An induced subgraph can be a proper subgraph if it does not include all vertices or edges present in G.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section defines what constitutes a proper subgraph in graph theory, highlighting its characteristics and relation to induced subgraphs and various graph operations.

Standard

The section delves into the definition of a proper subgraph, contrasting it with regular subgraphs, and introduces the concept of induced subgraphs. It also covers various operations that can be performed on graphs, such as edge and vertex removal, and discusses the implications of these operations on the graph’s structure.

Detailed

In graph theory, a proper subgraph is a specific type of subgraph that retains at least one element which is absent in its parent graph. This section breaks down the definition of a proper subgraph as one that is a subset of both the vertex and edge sets of the original graph, while also distinguishing it from induced subgraphs, which focus solely on specific vertices and their corresponding connections. The content further explores basic operations on graphs, particularly the effects of adding or removing edges and vertices on the structure of the graph. Understanding these concepts is crucial for more advanced topics in graph theory, such as graph isomorphism and connectivity.

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Definition of a Proper Subgraph

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So, let us define what we call a proper subgraph of a graph. So, say my definition is that H graph H will be called a proper subgraph of G if either the vertex set of H is a proper subset of the vertex set of G and the edge set of H is a proper subset of the edge set of G.

Detailed Explanation

A proper subgraph is a type of subgraph where it contains some, but not all, vertices and edges from the parent graph. To be considered a proper subgraph, the vertex set of H (denoted by W) must be a proper subset of the vertex set of G (denoted by V), meaning that W should contain fewer vertices than V. Similarly, the edge set of H (denoted by F) must also be a proper subset of the edge set of G (denoted by E), indicating that H must have fewer edges than G. If either condition is not met, then H is not considered a proper subgraph.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a proper subgraph like a team within a larger sports organization. If the whole organization includes players from multiple teams, a specific team is like the proper subgraph—it has fewer members than the entire organization (parent graph) and may also have fewer games (edges) than the total games the organization is involved in.

Understanding Failure of Initial Definition

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But this is my definition, then with respect to this definition if I take my graph G and H to be this then H will not be considered as a proper subset of G. This is because all the vertices of H are the vertices of G as well.

Detailed Explanation

In this part, the speaker realizes that the initial definition of a proper subgraph is insufficient because it does not encompass situations where a graph H can still contain all vertices of G and yet not be proper. For H to be considered proper, there must be exclusive elements in G that are unavailable in H. The example given demonstrates a scenario where if H has no extra vertices (it only mirrors vertices from G), then H fails to qualify as a proper subgraph even if it follows the rules proposed initially.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you have a box full of 10 different colored markers. If you take out 9 markers of the same colors and rearrange them in a neat line (still using all the colors from the box), the line you created does not represent a proper subset because it consists entirely of the original markers. To be a proper subset, it needs at least one distinct color that was not included.

Revised Definition of Proper Subgraph

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So that is why the right definition of the proper subgraph is the following. I will say that H is a proper subgraph of graph G if it is a subgraph of G and it is a subgraph which is different from the graph G.

Detailed Explanation

The correct understanding of a proper subgraph requires two key criteria: First, graph H must qualify as a subgraph of graph G. This means it meets the initial requirements of having vertex and edge sets that are subsets of those in G. Second, graph H must not be the same as G itself; they must differ in some aspects. This ensures that H has fewer vertices or edges than G, thus establishing it as a proper subgraph.

Examples & Analogies

Returning to our sports team analogy, think of H as a youth soccer team that consists of players who practice together and play matches together, which also forms part of a larger organization. The youth team cannot have every single player from the entire organization, or else it wouldn't be a distinct entity but rather the whole organization itself!

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Proper Subgraph: An essential type of subgraph that is distinct from its parent graph.

  • Induced Subgraph: Focuses only on specific vertices and all edges connecting them.

  • Graph Operations: Basic manipulations that include the addition or removal of vertices and edges.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • If G has vertices A, B, C, H can be a subgraph with vertices A and B and the edge (A, B).

  • For an induced subgraph derived from the vertices {A, B}, it must include all edges between A and B from G.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Subgraphs are fun, subsets they make; proper ones differ, for clarity's sake.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a city (the graph) with various paths (edges). A subgraph is a journey through part of that city, while a proper subgraph must leave out at least one path.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use 'SPIGG' (Subset, Proper, Induced Graph; Guide) to remember types of subgraphs.

🎯 Super Acronyms

PES

  • Proper Edges Subset - for remembering the characteristics of proper subgraphs.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Subgraph

    Definition:

    A graph formed from a subset of the vertices and edges of another graph.

  • Term: Proper Subgraph

    Definition:

    A subgraph that contains at least one vertex or edge not present in the original graph.

  • Term: Induced Subgraph

    Definition:

    A subgraph formed by a subset of vertices that includes all edges connecting those vertices.

  • Term: Edge Deletion

    Definition:

    The removal of an edge from a graph, which affects only the edge set.

  • Term: Vertex Deletion

    Definition:

    The removal of a vertex from a graph, which affects both the vertex and its incident edges.