Let G be a regular graph. Prove that every bridge of G is in every perfect matching of G. Strugglin

Wade Bullock

Wade Bullock

Answered question

2022-07-15

Let G be a regular graph. Prove that every bridge of G is in every perfect matching of G.
Struggling with a proof for the following:
Let G be a regular graph. Prove that every bridge of G is in every perfect matching of G.
I have ran into this whilst doing some revision work on graph theory.
Can anyone point me in the right direction. I am considering a proof by contradiction though I am unsure how to continue from there.

Answer & Explanation

Kaylie Mcdonald

Kaylie Mcdonald

Beginner2022-07-16Added 19 answers

Step 1
If the graph is not regular, it is not true. Take a simple path with four vertices 1,2,3,4 and three edges 12, 23, 34. The 23 edge is a bridge and the 12, 34 edges form a perfect matching.
Let G be a regular graph of degree d and e = u v be a bridge. Let a perfect matching does not contain edge e.
Then graph G e has two components G 1 and G 2 ( u V ( G 1 ) and v V ( G 2 )) and the number of vertices of each component is even. (why?)
Step 2
On the other hand, by the handshaking lemma we have for the graph G 1
2 | E ( G 1 ) | = x V ( G 1 ) deg ( x ) = d ( | V ( G 1 ) | 1 ) + ( d 1 ) = d | V ( G 1 ) | 1.   ( w h y ? )
Contradiction.

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