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let $G(V,E)$ be a biconnected symmetric graph without self-loops or parallel edges and, let $G$ contain a cycle of odd length, i.e. $G$ is not bipartite.

Questions:

  • what is known about upper bounds on the number of $v\in V$ that are not on any odd cycle
  • what is known about upper bounds on the number of edges $e\in E$ that are not adjacent to any vertex of an odd cycles
  • what are small examples of biconnected and non-bipartite graphs that have vertices not on any odd cycle or edges that are adjacent to two such vertices
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1 Answer 1

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In biconnected non bipartite graph, every vertex $v$ belongs to an odd cycle. Indeed, assuming the contrary take the shortest path $vu_1\dots u_m$ from $v$ to an odd cycle $C\ni u_m$. Since $G-u_m$ is connected, there exists a path between $vu_1\dots u_{m-1}$ and $C-u_m$. Consider the shortest such path $P$, let it start at $u_j$ and end at $w\in C$, $w\ne u_m$. Then $P, u_j\dots u_m$ and one of two arcs of $C$ between $u_m$ and $w$ form an odd cycle and the path $vu_1\dots u_j$ from $v$ to this cycle is shorter than $vu_1\dots u_m$. A contradiction.

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