A Theorem On Coloring The Lines of A Network
A Theorem On Coloring The Lines of A Network
By
CLAUDI:
E.
SHANNON
PSTSICS
584
585
suppose there were PI parallel lines in the first group G1 connecting P to junction
1, etc. N ow after coloring the reduced network we have left available at junction 1 at least [(3n + 1) - (2n + I - PI) = n + PI colors, at junction 2, at
least (n + 112) colors, etc. By choosing properly from these available colors and
by suitable interchanges of certain colors in the part of the network already
colored we will show that the lines from P can be satisfactorily colored.
Let us arrange the data in a table as follows.
Colors
1
2
123
1 1 0 1
1 0 1 0
(3n
1)
lines
(2n
1)
FIG.
In this array the 2n + 1 lines from P are listed vertically, the an + 1 colors
horizontally. If a certain color is available for a certain line a 1 is placed at the
intersection of the corresponding row and column, otherwise a o. In a row
corresponding to a line in Gi there will be (n + Pi) 1'8. By the use of three
operations on this array we will arrange to obtain a series of 1'8 along the main
diagonal and this will represent a coloring scheme for the network. These
operations are:
1. Interchange of columns. This corresponds to merely renumbering the
colors.
2. Interchange of rows. This corresponds to renumbering the lines from P.
3. Interchange of colors in a chain of two colors. Two junctions will be said
to be chained together for two colors if we can go from one junction to the other
along lines which alternate these colors. If we have a satisfactorily colored network and interchange the two colors in a chain of that network over its entire
length (note that in a correctly colored network a chain cannot branch out) then
it is clear that the network will still be satisfactorily colored. We will also use
the fact that if only one of the two colors in question appears at each of three
distinct junctions then only one pair of the junctions (at most) can be chained
together for these two colors, since a chain can only have two ends. Now consider the array of Fig. 1. Suppose that in the first row there is a 0 in one column
and a 1 in another. Interchanging these two colors in the chain starting from
the junction that line one is connected to will be seen to be equivalent to interchanging these two columns for this row and all other rows that are chained to it.
Let us suppose that we have arranged to get 1'8 on the main diagonal D down
to a certain point. We will show that we can get another 1 on the diagonal.
586
C.E.Shannon
(3n
1) Colors
1----0---
(2n
1)
lines
1-1--0---
1
1
X---
T
Flo. 2
Referring to Fig. 2, if there are any 1's in the next line a, on or to the right of T,
one of these may be brought by an interchange of columns, to position X.
Assuming this is not true there will be n + Pi 1's to the left of column T in a
(assuming a is in Gi ) . Hence there are n + p, rows above a having a 1 in D in
the same column as a 1 in a. At least n + 1 of these rows are not in Gi , since
G, has Pi members and we have accounted for one already, namely . Let {j be
one of these, belonging, say, to Gt If ~ has a 1 on or to the right of T, by an
interchange first of columns, then of a and {J this may be moved to X without
affecting the 1 's along D. Assuming this is not true, there are n + Pi 1'8 on {j
to the left of T and hence n + Pi rows above a have a 1 in D in the same column
as a 1 in {j, and of these at least n do not belong to G; (as it only has Pi members).
N ow there are not more than 2n rows above a and therefore the n rows we have
associated with ~ and the n
1 we have associated with a must have at least
one in common, i.e., there exists a row not belonging to G. or Gi and having a 1
in D in the same column that Q and {3 also have a 1. Call this row v, and suppose
it belongs to G". If 'Y has a 1 on or to the right of T it may be moved to X by
first interchanging columns and then rows a and 'Y 8S before. Assuming this is
not true, there are O's and l's at the intersections of a, {j, 1', and T, S, as shown
in Fig. 2 and X is o. Hence at least one of a, P, 'Y is not chained to either of the
others by the t\VO colors of T and S. If it is a, interchange the chain starting at
i and the 1 at the as intersection moves to X without affecting D. If it is p,
587
interchange the chain starting at j and then rows a and s. This moves the 1 at
the {jS intersection to X and its place is taken by the 1 at
If it is 'Y, inter..
change the chain starting at k and then the rows a and "I so that the 1 at "IS moves
to X and the 1 at aR takes its place.
as.
INC.,