Paper 3, Section II, G

Graph Theory
Part II, 2016

Define the chromatic polynomial pG(t)p_{G}(t) of a graph GG. Show that if GG has nn vertices and mm edges then

pG(t)=antnan1tn1+an2tn2+(1)na0p_{G}(t)=a_{n} t^{n}-a_{n-1} t^{n-1}+a_{n-2} t^{n-2}-\ldots+(-1)^{n} a_{0}

where an=1,an1=ma_{n}=1, a_{n-1}=m and ai0a_{i} \geqslant 0 for all ii. [You may assume the deletion-contraction relation, provided that you state it clearly.]

Show that for every graph GG (with n>0n>0 ) we have a0=0a_{0}=0. Show also that a1=0a_{1}=0 if and only if GG is disconnected.

Explain why t42t3+3t2tt^{4}-2 t^{3}+3 t^{2}-t is not the chromatic polynomial of any graph.