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.

Yang Yuansheng1, Fu Xueliang1,2, Jiang Baogi1
1Department of Computer Science, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
2 College of Computer and Information Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Huhehote, 010018, P.R. China
Abstract:

Let \(G = (V(G), E(G))\) be a graph. A set \(S \subseteq V(G)\) is a packing if for any two vertices \(u\) and \(v\) in \(S\) we have \(d(u, v) \geq 3 \). That is, \(S\) is a packing if and only if for any vertex \(v \in V(G)\), \(|N[v] \cap S| \leq 1\). The packing number \(\rho(G)\) is the maximum cardinality of a packing in \(G\). In this paper, we study the packing number of generalized Petersen graphs \(P(n,2)\) and prove that \(\rho(P(n,2)) = \left\lfloor \frac{n}{7} \right\rfloor + \left\lceil \frac{n+1}{7} \right\rceil + \left\lfloor \frac{n+4}{7} \right\rfloor\) (\(n \geq 5\)).

Lihua Feng1, Aleksandar Ilié2, Guihai Yu1
1Department of Mathematics, Shandong Institute of Business and Technology, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China, 264005.
2Paculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Nis ViSegradska 33, 18000 Ni8, Serbia
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a connected graph. The Wiener index of \(G\) is defined as
\(W(G) = \sum_{u,v \in V(G)} d_G(u,v),\) where \(d_G(u,v)\) is the distance between \(u\) and \(v\) in \(G\) and the summation goes over all the unordered pairs of vertices. In this paper, we investigate the Wiener index of unicyclic graphs with given girth and characterize the extremal graphs with the second maximal and second minimal Wiener index.

Qiong-yang Wu1, Yan-bing Zhao2, Yuan-ji Huo1
1Department of Basic Courses, Hainan College of Software Technology, Qionghai, 571400, China
2Department of Basic Courses, Zhangjiakou Vocational and Technical College , Zhangjiakou, 075051, China
Abstract:

This paper uses research methods in the subspace lattices, making a deep research to the lattices of all subsets of a finite set and partition of an n-set. At first, the inclusion relations between different lattices are studied. Then, a characterization of elements contained in a given lattice is given. Finally, the characteristic polynomials of the given lattices are computed.

Guihai Yu1, Lihua Feng2, Dingguo Wang3
1School of Mathematics, Shandong Institute of Business and Technology 191 Binhaizhong Road, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China, 264005
2Department of Mathematics, Central South University Railway Campus, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China, 410075
3 College of Mathematics Science, Chongqing Normal University Chongqing, China, 400047
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a connected graph on \(n\) vertices. The average eccentricity of a graph \(G\) is defined as \(\varepsilon(G) = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{v \in V(G)} \varepsilon(v)\), where \(\varepsilon(v)\) is the eccentricity of the vertex \(v\), which is the maximum distance from it to any other vertex. In this paper, we characterize the extremal unicyclic graphs among \(n\)-vertex unicyclic graphs having the minimal and the second minimal average eccentricity.

Linda Eroh1, Ralucca Gera2
1Department of Mathematics University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
2 Department of Applied Mathematics Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a graph with vertex set \(V(G)\) and edge set \(E(G)\). A (defensive) alliance in \(G\) is a subset \(S\) of \(V(G)\) such that for every vertex \(v \in S\), \(|N(v) \cap S| \geq |N(v) \cap (V(G) – S)|\). The alliance partition number of a graph \(G\), \(\psi_a(G)\), is defined to be the maximum number of sets in a partition of \(V(G)\) such that each set is a (defensive) alliance. In this paper, we give both general bounds and exact results for the alliance partition number of graphs, and in particular for regular graphs and trees.

Huiging Liu1, Mei Lu2
1School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
2Department of Mathematical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Abstract:

In this paper, we present a unified and simple approach to extremal acyclic graphs without perfect matching for the energy, the Merrifield-Simmons index and Hosoya index.

Kaliraj. K1, Vernold Vivin.J2, Akbar Ali.M.M3
1Department of Mathematics, R.V.S.College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 402, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Mathematics, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore- 641 062, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Department of Mathematics, Karunya University, Coimbatore- 641 114, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:

The notion of equitable coloring was introduced by Meyer in \(1973\). In this paper, we obtain interesting results regarding the equitable chromatic number \(\chi=\) for the sun let graphs \(S_n\), line graph of sun let graphs \(L(S_n)\), middle graph of sun let graphs \(M(S_n)\), and total graph of sun let graphs \(T(S_n)\).

Rui Li1,2, Baogang Xu1
1School of Mathematical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing, 210046, China
2 Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China
Abstract:

Kühn and Osthus \([2]\) proved that for every positive integer \(\ell\), there exists an integer \(k(\ell) \leq 2^{11}.3\ell^2\), such that the vertex set of every graph \(G\) with \(\delta(G) \geq k(\ell)\) can be partitioned into subsets \(S\) and \(T\) with the properties that \(\delta(G[S]) \geq \ell \leq \delta(G[T])\) and every vertex of \(S\) has at least \(\ell\) neighbors in \(T\). In this note, we improve the upper bound to \(k(\ell) \leq 2^4 – 17\ell^2\).

KM. Kathiresan1, K. Muthugurupackiam2
1 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, AYYA NADAR JANAKI AMMAL COLLEGE, SIVAKASI – 626 124, INDIA,
2DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, ARULMIGU KALASALINGAM COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE, KRISHNANKOIL – 626 190, INDIA,
Abstract:

In this paper, we discuss how the addition of a new edge changes the irregularity strength in \(K(3,n)\), \(tK_3\), and \(tP_4\).

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 \(g\).