On the regular k-independence number of graphs

TL;DR

This paper investigates the regular k-independence number of graphs, providing exact values for special cases, bounds for trees and line graphs, and Nordhaus-Gaddum-type results, advancing understanding of degree-regular independent sets.

Contribution

It introduces new bounds and exact values for the regular k-independence number, including extremal graphs and Nordhaus-Gaddum results, for various classes of graphs.

Findings

Exact values for special graphs

Bounds for trees with given diameter

Lower bounds for line graphs' regular k-independence number

Abstract

The \emph{regular independence number}, introduced by Albertson and Boutin in 1990, is the maximum cardinality of an independent set of $G$ in which all vertices have equal degree in $G$. Recently, Caro, Hansberg and Pepper introduced the concept of regular $k$-independence number, which is a natural generalization of the regular independence number. A \emph{$k$-independent set} is a set of vertices whose induced subgraph has maximum degree at most $k$. The \emph{regular $k$-independence number} of $G$, denoted by $\alpha_{k-reg}(G)$, is defined as the maximum cardinality of a $k$-independent set of $G$ in which all vertices have equal degree in $G$. In this paper, the exact values of the regular $k$-independence numbers of some special graphs are obtained. We also get some lower and upper bounds for the regular $k$-independence number of trees with given diameter, and the lower bounds for the regular $k$-independence number of line graphs. For a simple graph $G$ of order $n$, we show that $1\leq\alpha_{k-reg}(G)\leq n$ and characterize the extremal graphs. The Nordhaus-Gaddum-type results for the regular $k$-independence number of graphs are also obtained.