Ars Combinatoria

ISSN 0381-7032 (print), 2817-5204 (online)

Ars Combinatoria is the oldest Canadian journal of combinatorics, established in 1976, dedicated to advancing combinatorial mathematics through the publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed research papers. Over the decades, it has built a strong international reputation and continues to serve as a leading platform for significant contributions to the field.
Open Access:  The journal follows the Diamond Open Access model—completely free for both authors and readers, with no article processing charges (APCs)
Publication Frequency: From 2024 onward, Ars Combinatoria publishes four issues annually—in March, June, September, and December.
Scope: Publishes research in all areas of combinatorics, including graph theory, design theory, enumeration, algebraic combinatorics, combinatorial optimization and related fields.
Indexing & Abstracting:  Indexed in MathSciNet, Zentralblatt MATH, and EBSCO, ensuring wide visibility and scholarly reach.
Rapid Publication: Submissions are processed efficiently, with accepted papers published promptly in the next available issue.
Print & Online Editions: Issues are available in both print and online formats to serve a broad readership.

Renbin Sun1, Zhongxun Zhu1, Liansheng Tan1
1College of Mathematics and Statistics, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, P.R. China; Computer Science Department, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
Abstract:

For a graph \(G\), the Merrifield-Simmons index \(i(G)\) and the Hosoya index \(z(G)\) are defined as the total number of independent sets and the total number of matchings of the graph \(G\), respectively. In this paper, we characterize the graphs with the maximal Merrifield-Simmons index and the minimal Hosoya index, respectively, among the bicyclic graphs on \(n\) vertices with a given girth \(g\).

Chin-Lin Shiue1, Hui-Chuan Lu2
1Department of Applied Mathematics, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li, Taiwan 32023,
2Department of Applied Mathematics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010,
Abstract:

In this paper, we study the existence of \(\alpha\)-labelings for trees by means of particular \((0, 1)\)-matrices called \(a\)-labeling matrices. It is shown that each comet \(S_{k, q}\) admits no \(a\)-labelings whenever \(k > 4(q – 1)\) and \(q \geq 2\). We also give the sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of \(a\)-labelings for trees of diameter at most six. This extends a result of Rosa’s. As a consequence, we prove that \(S_{k, 3}\) has an \(a\)-labeling if and only if \(k \leq 4\).

Joseph Fox1, Ralucca Gera2, Pantelimon Stanica3
1Salem State College, Department of Mathematics, Salem, MA 01970; joseph.
2Neval Postgraduate School, Department of Applied Mathematics Monterey, CA 93943
3Neval Postgraduate School, Department of Applied Mathematics Monterey, CA 93943;
Abstract:

Given a graph \(G\), an independent set \(I(G)\) is a subset of the vertices of \(G\) such that no two vertices in \(I(G)\) are adjacent. The independence number \(\alpha(G)\) is the order of a largest set of independent vertices. In this paper, we study the independence number for the Generalized Petersen graphs, finding both sharp bounds and exact results for subclasses of the Generalized Petersen graphs.

Nick C.Fiala1
1Department of Mathematics St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN 56301
Abstract:

In this note, we show that the variety of Boolean \(SQS\)-skeins can be defined by a single axiom and, in the process, we find all of the shortest single axioms for said variety. Our investigations were aided by the automated theorem-prover Prover9 and the finite model-finder Mace4.

Selvam Avadayappan1, C.S. Senthilkumar2
1Department of Mathematics, V.H.N.S.N. College, Virudhunagar — 626 001, India.
2Department of Mathematics, K.S.R. College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode — 637 215, India.
Abstract:

Let \(G(V,E)\) be a graph. A subset \(S\) of \(V\) is called a dominating set of \(G\) if every vertex in \(V-S\) is adjacent to at least one vertex in \(S\). The domination number \(\gamma(G)\) of \(G\) is the minimum cardinality taken over all dominating sets in \(G\). A dominating set \(S\) of \(G\) is called a complementary perfect dominating set (cpd-set) if the induced subgraph \(\langle V-S \rangle\) has a perfect matching. The complementary perfect domination number, \(\gamma_{cp}(G)\), of \(G\) is the minimum cardinality taken over all cpd-sets in \(G\).

An induced complementary perfect dominating set of a graph (icpd-set) is a dominating set of \(G\) such that the induced subgraph \(\langle V-S \rangle\) has only independent edges. That is, \(\langle V-S \rangle = mK_2\), \(m \geq 1\). The minimum cardinality taken over all such icpd-sets of \(G\) is called the induced complementary perfect domination number of \(G\), and is denoted by \(\gamma_{icp}(G)\).

A subset \(S\) of \(V\) is said to be a complementary connected dominating set (ccd-set) if \(S\) is a dominating set and \(\langle V-S \rangle\) is connected. The complementary connected domination number of a graph is denoted by \(\gamma_{cc}(G)\) and is defined as the minimum number of vertices which form a ccd-set.

It has been proved that \(\gamma_{cp}(G) = n = \gamma_{icp}(G)\) and \(\gamma_{cc}(G) = n-1\) only if \(G\) is a star. And if \(G\) is not a star, then \(\gamma_{cp}, \gamma_{icp}, \gamma_{cc} \leq n-2\). In this paper, we characterize the graphs with \(\gamma_{cc} \leq n-2\), and trees with \(\gamma_{cp} = n-2\) and \(\gamma_{icp} = n-2\).

Liandi Zhang1, Yuqin Zhang1
1Department of Mathematics Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
Abstract:

A graph \(G\) is called \(H\)-equipackable if every maximal \(H\)-packing in \(G\) is also a maximum \(H\)-packing in \(G\). In 2009, \(P_4\)-equipackable paths and cycles, \(M_3\)-equipackable paths and cycles have been characterized. In this paper, \(P_k\)-equipackable paths and cycles, \(M_k\)-equipackable paths and cycles are characterized.

Hui Dong1, Bo Zhou1
1Department of Mathematics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
Abstract:

We determine the maximum Wiener index of \(n\)-vertex unicyclic graphs with fixed maximum degree and characterize the unique extremal graph.

Hakan Efe1
1DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS, GAZI UNIVERSITY, TEKNIKOKULLAR, 06500 ANKARA, TURKEY
Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to define different types of continuities of operators and boundedness of linear operators over fuzzy \(n\)-normed linear spaces. Also, some definitions such as fuzzy continuity, sequential fuzzy continuity, weakly fuzzy continuity, strongly fuzzy continuity, weakly fuzzy boundedness, and strongly fuzzy boundedness are given in fuzzy \(n\)-normed linear spaces. In addition, some theorems related to these definitions are proved.

Weiming Weng1, Bolian Liu 1
1 School of Mathematical Sciences South China Normal University Guangzhou 510631 P. R. China
Abstract:

In this paper, we study the enumeration of noncrossing partitions with fixed points. The expressions of \({f_m}(x_1, x_2,x_3, 0, \ldots, 0)\) and \({f_m}(x_1, x_2, 0, \ldots, 0, x_{p+3}, 0, \ldots, 0)\) are found, and a new proof of the expression of \({f_m}(x_1, x_2,0, 0, \ldots, 0)\) is obtained using diophantine equations.

Yuanyuan Liu1, Qingde Kang2, Mingchao Li3
1Department of Fundamental Science North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering Langfang 065000, P. R. China
2Institute of Mathematics, Hebei Normal University Shijiazhuang 050016, P. R. China
3College of Science, Hebei University of Engineering Handan 0560386, P. R. China
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a subgraph of \(K_n\). The graph obtained from \(G\) by replacing each edge with a 3-cycle whose third vertex is distinct from other vertices in the configuration is called a \(T(G)\)-triple. An edge-disjoint decomposition of \(3K_n\) into copies of \(T(G)\) is called a \(T(G)\)-triple system of order \(n\). If, in each copy of \(T(G)\) in a \(T(G)\)-triple system, one edge is taken from each 3-cycle (chosen so that these edges form a copy of \(G\)) in such a way that the resulting copies of \(G\) form an edge-disjoint decomposition of \(K_n\), then the \(T(G)\)-triple system is said to be perfect. The set of positive integers \(n\) for which a perfect \(T(G)\)-triple system exists is called its spectrum. Earlier papers by authors including Billington, Lindner, Kıvcıkgızı, and Rosa determined the spectra for cases where \(G\) is any subgraph of \(K_4\). In this paper, we will focus on the star graph \(K_{1,k}\) and discuss the existence of perfect \(T(K_{1,k})\)-triple systems. Especially, for prime powers \(k\), its spectra are completely determined.