Cops and robbers in a random graph
Abstract
The cop-number of a graph is the minimum number of cops needed to catch a robber on the graph, where the cops and the robber alternate moving from a vertex to a neighbouring vertex. It is conjectured by Meyniel that for a graph on n vertices O(n) cops suffice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the cop-number of a random graph. We prove that for sparse random graphs the cop-number has order of magnitude n1/2+o(1).The best known strategy for general graphs is the area-defending strategy, where each cop 'controls' one region by himself. We show that, for general graphs, this strategy cannot be too effective: there are graphs that need at least n1-o(1) cops for this strategy. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Publication Title
Journal of Combinatorial Theory. Series B
Recommended Citation
Bollobás, B., Kun, G., & Leader, I. (2013). Cops and robbers in a random graph. Journal of Combinatorial Theory. Series B, 103 (2), 226-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jctb.2012.10.002
