Problem 3.5: Number of 6-Critical Graphs on a Surface


Problem 3.5 has been solved by Carsten Thomassen in the paper

C. Thomassen, Color-critical graphs on a fixed surface, MAT-REPORT NO. 1994-44, The Technical University of Denmark, November 1994, 37 pages.

Abstract:
Let S be an orientable surface other than the sphere and let k be a natural number. Then there are infinitely many k-color- critical graphs on S if and only if 3<=k<=5. In particular, if k>=5, then there exists a polynomially bounded algorithm for deciding if a graph on S can be k-colored. We extend this to the case where a subgraph of fixed cardinality is precolored. We also establish a corresponding list-color theorem.

Bjarne Toft, March 15, 1995.


The above mentioned paper by Carsten Thomassen has appeared:

C. Thomassen, Color-Critical Graphs on a Fixed Surface, Journal Comb. Theory B 70 (1997), 67-100.

Bjarne Toft, August 6, 1997.


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Last modified July 21, 1997 Bjarne Toft