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Lesson 3

The document discusses minimum vertex covers in bipartite graphs. It defines what a vertex cover is, explains finding a minimum vertex cover using algorithms like Konig's Theorem and complementary graphs, and provides applications in network design and resource allocation.

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Syeda Fariha Khawar
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16 views

Lesson 3

The document discusses minimum vertex covers in bipartite graphs. It defines what a vertex cover is, explains finding a minimum vertex cover using algorithms like Konig's Theorem and complementary graphs, and provides applications in network design and resource allocation.

Uploaded by

Syeda Fariha Khawar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 3: Bipartite Graphs - Minimum Vertex Cover

Objectives:

1. Learn what a vertex cover is in the context of bipartite graphs.


2. Understand the concept of a minimum vertex cover.
3. Explore algorithms for finding minimum vertex covers in bipartite graphs.

I. Vertex Cover in Bipartite Graphs

In a bipartite graph, a vertex cover is a set of vertices that includes at least one endpoint
of every edge in the graph. Formally, for a bipartite graph G(V, E) with partitions U and V,
a vertex cover C is a set of vertices such that for every edge (u, v) in E, either u or v (or
both) belongs to C.

II. Minimum Vertex Cover

A minimum vertex cover is the smallest possible vertex cover in a given bipartite graph.
Finding the minimum vertex cover is another important problem in graph theory and
combinatorial optimization.

III. Finding Minimum Vertex Covers in Bipartite Graphs

There are efficient algorithms for finding minimum vertex covers in bipartite graphs.
Since bipartite graphs have special properties, the process of finding minimum vertex
covers is simplified compared to general graphs. Some key algorithms and techniques
include:

1. Konig's Theorem: Konig's Theorem states that in a bipartite graph, the size of a
maximum matching is equal to the size of the minimum vertex cover. Therefore,
you can find a minimum vertex cover by first finding a maximum matching.
2. Complementary Graph: Create a complementary graph where you reverse the
roles of vertices and edges. In the complementary graph, a minimum vertex cover
corresponds to a maximum independent set, which can be found efficiently.

IV. Applications of Minimum Vertex Covers

Minimum vertex covers have practical applications in various domains:


1. Network Design: In network design, finding the minimum number of facilities
(represented as vertices) to cover a set of connections or edges is essential for
minimizing costs.
2. Resource Allocation: In bipartite graphs representing resource allocation
problems, a minimum vertex cover can help identify the smallest number of
resources required to satisfy all demands.

V. Practice Exercise

Given a bipartite graph, practice finding both a maximum matching and a minimum
vertex cover using the techniques discussed in class. Compare the sizes of the matching
and the vertex cover to observe Konig's Theorem in action.

VI. Conclusion:

Understanding minimum vertex covers in bipartite graphs is crucial for solving


optimization problems related to network design, resource allocation, and more. In
future lessons, we will explore advanced topics related to bipartite graphs, such as
applications in network flow problems and additional theorems and algorithms.

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