An ordered \(n\)−tuple \((d_1, d_2,\ldots,d_n)\) with \(d_1 \geq d_2 \geq…

2014

An ordered \(n\)−tuple \((d_1, d_2,\ldots,d_n)\) with \(d_1 \geq d_2 \geq \ldots \geq d_n\) is called graphic  if there exists a simple undirected graph with \(n\) vertices having degrees \(d_1,d_2,\ldots,d_n\)  respectively. Which one of the following 6-tuples is NOT graphic?

  1. A.

    (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)

  2. B.

    (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)

  3. C.

    (3, 3, 3, 1, 0, 0)

  4. D.

    (3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0)

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Correct answer: C

Solution: determine which 6-tuple is not graphic using Havel–Hakimi and quick constructive checks.

  • (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1): Graphic. The degree sum is 6 (even). One realization is three disjoint edges, pairing vertices to give degree 1 to each.

  • (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2): Graphic. The degree sum is 12 (even). For example, a 6-cycle gives every vertex degree 2, so the sequence is realizable.

  • (3, 3, 3, 1, 0, 0): Not graphic. Apply Havel–Hakimi:

    Step 1: (3,3,3,1,0,0) → remove 3 and subtract 1 from the next three degrees → (2,2,0,0,0).

    Step 2: Remove 2 and subtract 1 from the next two degrees. The next two are 2 and 0, so this produces a negative entry (1,−1,...), which is impossible. Therefore the sequence cannot be realized.

    Alternatively, the Erdős–Gallai criterion fails for k=2: the sum of the two largest degrees is 6 while the right-hand bound is 5, so the sequence is not graphic.

  • (3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0): Graphic. Use Havel–Hakimi:

    Step 1: (3,2,1,1,1,0) → remove 3 and subtract 1 from the next three degrees (2,1,1) → (1,0,0,1,0) which sorts to (1,1,0,0,0).

    Step 2: Remove 1 and subtract 1 from the next one degree → all zeros. Since we reach all zeros without contradiction, the sequence is realizable.

Conclusion: Among the four given 6-tuples, only (3, 3, 3, 1, 0, 0) is not graphic.

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