Total $k$-coalition: bounds, exact values and an application to double coalition

TL;DR

This paper investigates the total k-coalition number in graphs, providing bounds, exact values for specific regular graphs, and applying these concepts to double coalition problems.

Contribution

It introduces new bounds and exact values for total k-coalition numbers, especially for k=2 and k=3, in regular graphs, and addresses an open question on double coalition.

Findings

Established sharp bounds for total k-coalition number

Determined exact values for cubic and 4-regular graphs when k=2

Solved an open problem related to double coalition

Abstract

Let $G=\big{(}V(G),E(G)\big{)}$ be a graph with minimum degree $k$. A subset $S\subseteq V(G)$ is called a total $k$-dominating set if every vertex in $G$ has at least $k$ neighbors in $S$. Two disjoint sets $A,B\subset V(G)$ form a total $k$-coalition in $G$ if none of them is a total $k$-dominating set in $G$ but their union $A\cup B$ is a total $k$-dominating set. A vertex partition $\Omega=\{V_{1},\ldots,V_{|\Omega|}\}$ of $G$ is a total $k$-coalition partition if each set $V_{i}$ forms a total $k$-coalition with another set $V_{j}$. The total $k$-coalition number ${\rm TC}_{k}(G)$ of $G$ equals the maximum cardinality of a total $k$-coalition partition of $G$. In this paper, the above-mentioned concept are investigated from combinatorial points of view. Several sharp lower and upper bounds on ${\rm TC}_{k}(G)$ are proved, where the main emphasis is given on the invariant when $k=2$. As a consequence, the exact values of ${\rm TC}_2(G)$ when $G$ is a cubic graph or a $4$-regular graph are obtained. By using similar methods, an open question posed by Henning and Mojdeh regarding double coalition is answered. Moreover, ${\rm TC}_3(G)$ is determined when $G$ is a cubic graph.