Hamilton path and circuit rounded path problem

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter requied
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Hamilton Path
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of Hamiltonian paths and circuits, as well as Euler paths and circuits, in the context of a specific graph. Participants explore definitions, properties, and the relationships between these types of paths and circuits.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants clarify that a Hamilton path visits every vertex exactly once, while a Hamilton circuit starts and ends at the same vertex.
  • Others argue that the definitions provided by the original poster (OP) are incorrect, particularly regarding the nature of Hamiltonian and Euler paths.
  • A participant notes that a loop in the graph does not contribute to the Hamiltonian path or circuit.
  • There is a discussion about the existence of Euler paths and circuits, with some stating that a graph can have an Euler path if it has at most two vertices of odd degree.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of Euler paths, particularly regarding whether they must start and end at different vertices.
  • One participant proposes a specific Hamiltonian path (E-B-A-D-C) and questions the correctness of their definitions and summary.
  • Another participant confirms the proposed Hamiltonian path but points out that it does not align with the OP's definitions.
  • There is mention of conflicting definitions found in various sources regarding Euler paths and circuits, leading to confusion among participants.
  • Some participants express a desire for clarification on their previous answers and the definitions used in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions of Hamiltonian and Euler paths. There are multiple competing views regarding the correct definitions and properties of these paths, leading to ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the OP's understanding of the definitions, as well as the potential for varying interpretations of Euler paths based on different sources. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the applicability of certain definitions in mathematical contexts.

requied
Messages
98
Reaction score
3
TL;DR
If it is not helpful to us to know if degree odd or even, how can we think in rounded paths?
1590128075856.png

Here is a graph. I wonder if it has hamilton path or circuit. In hamilton path we have to cross once and only once at an edge, and the start and the finish must be different locations. In hamilton circuit we have to start and finish the same edge. So the circle which B is rounded, which kind of case in there?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
You can't visit a vertex more than once (unless you start and finish there after visiting all others, for a cycle), so the loop at B is useless, it can't be used.
 
It has a Hamilton path, but not a Hamilton circuit.
Your definitions of both above are incorrect. A Hamilton path/circuit says every vertex (not connection) must be visited once.
I was also able to traverse the above graph visiting every path once, but it again wasn't a circuit, which is only possible if every vertex has an even number of connections. I don't know the name of that sort of path.
 
Ah, I missed that OP misunderstood the definition.

A path that takes every edge once is an Euler path (or Euler tour, if closed). A loop doesn't make a difference, as long as it is connected to the rest of the graph.
 
Halc said:
It has a Hamilton path, but not a Hamilton circuit.
Your definitions of both above are incorrect. A Hamilton path/circuit says every vertex (not connection) must be visited once.
I was also able to traverse the above graph visiting every path once, but it again wasn't a circuit, which is only possible if every vertex has an even number of connections. I don't know the name of that sort of path.
Can we say that the hamilton path is E-B-A-D-C ? And which are my thoughts wrong? the definition or summary?
 
requied said:
Can we say that the hamilton path is E-B-A-D-C ?
That is one Hamiltonian path, yes.

And which are my thoughts wrong? the definition or summary?
Both definition and summary seem to speak of Euler paths. Degree of vertices matters for a Euler path, but not for Hamiltonian. Euler paths try to visit the edges, while Hamiltonian paths visit the vertices. Your solution EBADC is a Hamiltonian path, but it doesn't meet any of the definitions of the OP. Some of the vertices have odd degree, and the OP speaks of crossing each edge once and only once, yet your path EBADC misses a lot of them.

Yes, your graph does have a Euler path as well, but not a Euler circuit due to some of the vertices having odd degree.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: requied
Thank you for attention Halc.
1590263950522.png

In addition, I couldn't find the euler path in the graph of figure (a). Is there still an euler path if none the degree of vertices is odd or we must find these by trying one by one?
And would you like to control whether my other answers are true? I really appreciate it.
 
Looks right.

For (a), every Euler circuit is also an Euler path.
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: requied
requied said:
In addition, I couldn't find the euler path in the graph of figure (a). Is there still an euler path if none the degree of vertices is odd or we must find these by trying one by one?
I've seen at least one definition that says that a Euler path must start and end on different verticies, in which case no graph can be both a Euler path and a Euler circuit. Other definitions don't have the vertex restriction, thus any Euler circuit is also a valid Euler path. I think your text above uses the latter less restrictive definition.
And would you like to control whether my other answers are true? I really appreciate it.
All looks fine, including the yellow '?'.
 
  • #10
mfb said:
every Euler circuit is also an Euler path.
Halc said:
at least one definition that says that a Euler path must start and end on different verticies, in which case no graph can be both a Euler path and a Euler circuit

I think there is a little oppositeness here :)
Halc said:
I think your text above uses the latter less restrictive definition.
So can't we actually know which one we need to use? Or the latest definitions be accepted at mathematics?
 
  • #11
requied said:
I think there is a little oppositeness here :)
Oh definitely.

So can't we actually know which one we need to use? Or the latest definitions be accepted at mathematics?
Yea, you use the rules as quoted by the text you're using.

The OP says "we have to cross once and only once at an edge, and the start and the finish must be different locations ", but of course that's not a direct quote from whatever text since he equates "Hamilton path" to that rule.
I googled "Euler path" and the top hit, the one with the summary that comes up, says "An Euler path starts and ends at different vertices" (jlmartin.faculty.ku.edu). I think the OP is using that exact site since his graph comes up very first thing if you click on that link. But wiki mentions no such rule, and I suspect neither did Euler, from whom the definition comes. No other hit on the google search expresses the 'must start and end at different vertices' rule. So why does that one rebel definition manage to propagate to the top of the google search?

The site goes on to make this statement:
JLMartin said:
The inescapable conclusion (“based on reason alone!”): If a graph G has an Euler path, then it must have exactly two odd vertices.
All the other sites prove that a graph has a Euler path iff it has at most two odd vertices.

So I agree with you. A Euler path can start and end anywhere it likes, which makes sense given the basic concept of a path. Figure A has a Euler path. The google search unfortunately hits the jlmartin site which is one of the few rebel ones.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K