A Class of Solutions to the Gossip Problem.

Abstract

We characterize and count optimal solutions to the gossip problem in which no one hears his own information. That is, we consider graphs with n vertices where the edges have a linear ordering such that an increasing path exists from each vertex to every other, but there is no increasing path from any vertex to itself. Such graphs exist only when n is even, in which case the fewest number of edges is 2n-4, as in the original gossip problem. The characterize optimal solutions of this sort (NOHO-graphs) using a correspondence with a set of permutations and binary sequences. This correspondence enables us to count these solutions and several subclasses of solutions. The numbers of solutions in each class are simple powers of 2 and 3, with exponents determined by n. We also show constructively that NOHO-graphs are planar and Hamiltonian, and we mention applications to related problems. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA066099

Entities

People

  • Douglas B. West

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Binomials
  • Boundaries
  • Computer Science
  • Construction
  • Crossings
  • Decomposition
  • Graph Theory
  • Lepidoptera
  • Military Research
  • Notation
  • Permutations
  • Reflection
  • Sequences
  • Symmetry
  • Triangles
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Graph Algorithms and Convex Optimization.
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.