Computing Subset Feedback Vertex Set via Leafage

TL;DR

This paper studies the computational complexity of the Subset Feedback Vertex Set problem on chordal graph subclasses, providing polynomial algorithms for graphs with bounded leafage and showing hardness results related to leafage parameters.

Contribution

It introduces algorithms for SFVS on chordal graphs with bounded leafage and explores the complexity related to vertex leafage, including hardness results and extensions to specific graph classes.

Findings

SFVS is polynomial-time solvable for chordal graphs with bounded leafage.

SFVS is W[1]-hard when parameterized by leafage.

SFVS remains NP-complete on graphs with vertex leafage at most two.

Abstract

A typical example that behaves computationally different in subclasses of chordal graphs is the \textsc{Subset Feedback Vertex Set} (SFVS) problem: given a vertex-weighted graph $G=(V,E)$ and a set $S\subseteq V$, the \textsc{Subset Feedback Vertex Set} (SFVS) problem asks for a vertex set of minimum weight that intersects all cycles containing a vertex of $S$. SFVS is known to be polynomial-time solvable on interval graphs, whereas SFVS remains \NP-complete on split graphs and, consequently, on chordal graphs. Towards a better understanding of the complexity of SFVS on subclasses of chordal graphs, we exploit structural properties of a tree model in order to cope with the hardness of SFVS. Here we consider variants of the \emph{leafage} that measures the minimum number of leaves in a tree model. We show that SFVS can be solved in polynomial time for every chordal graph with bounded leafage. In particular, given a chordal graph on $n$ vertices with leafage $\ell$, we provide an algorithm for SFVS with running time $n^{O(\ell)}$. We complement our result by showing that SFVS is \W[1]-hard parameterized by $\ell$. Pushing further our positive result, it is natural to consider a slight generalization of leafage, the \emph{vertex leafage}, which measures the smallest number among the maximum number of leaves of all subtrees in a tree model. However, we show that it is unlikely to obtain a similar result, as we prove that SFVS remains \NP-complete on undirected path graphs, i.e., graphs having vertex leafage at most two. Moreover, we strengthen previously-known polynomial-time algorithm for SFVS on rooted path graphs that form a proper subclass of undirected path graphs and graphs of mim-width one.