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.

Wensheng Li1, Huaming Xing2, Zhongsheng Huang1
1Dept. of Math. 8 Info. Sci., Langfang Teachers University, Langfang, 065000), China
2College of Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300222, China
Abstract:

Let \(G = (V, E)\) be a simple graph. A paired-dominating set of a graph \(G\) is a dominating set whose induced subgraph contains a perfect matching. The paired domination number of a graph \(G\), denoted by \(\gamma_p(G)\), is the minimum cardinality of a paired-dominating set in \(G\). In this paper, we study the paired domination number of generalized Petersen graphs \(P(n,2)\) and prove that for any integer \(n \geq 6\), \(\gamma_p(P(n, 2)) = 2 \left\lfloor \frac{n}{3} \right\rfloor + n \pmod{3}\).

Nader Jafari Rad1, Akbar Jahanbani1, Roslan Hasni2
1Department of Mathematics Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
2School of Informatics and Applied Mathematics UMT Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Abstract:

The Estrada index of a simple connected graph \(G\) of order \(n\) is defined as \(EE(G) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} e^{\lambda_i}\), where \(\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \ldots, \lambda_n\) are the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix of \(G\). In this paper, we characterize all pentacyclic graphs of order \(n\) with maximal Estrada index.

Bart De Bruyn1
1Ghent University, Department of Mathematics, Krijgslaan 281 (522), B-9000 Gent, Belgium,
Abstract:

Let \(\Pi\) be a finite polar space of rank \(n \geq 2\) fully embedded into a projective space \(\Sigma\). In this note, we determine all tight sets of \(\Pi\) of the form \((\Sigma_1 \cap \mathcal{P}) \cup (\Sigma_2 \cap \mathcal{P})\), where \(\mathcal{P}\) denotes the point set of \(\Pi\) and \(\Sigma_1, \Sigma_2\) are two mutually disjoint subspaces of \(\Sigma\). In this way, we find two families of \(2\)-tight sets of elliptic polar spaces that were not described before in the literature.

Elif Tan1
1DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, ANKARA UNIVERSITY, ANKARA, TURKEY
Abstract:

In this paper, we define a new matrix identity for bi-periodic Fibonacci and Lucas numbers. By using the matrix method, we give simple proofs of several properties of these numbers. Moreover, we obtain a new binomial sum formula for bi-periodic Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, which generalize the former results.

Dinesh G.Sarvate1, Li Zhang2
1 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, DEPT. OF MATH., CHARLESTON, SC, 29424
2THE CITADEL, DepT. OF MATH. AND COMPUTER SCIENCE, CHARLESTON, SC, 29409
Abstract:

Hein and Sarvate show how to decompose \(\lambda\) copies of a complete graph \(K_n\), for some minimal value of \(\lambda\), into so-called LOE and OLE graphs. In this paper, we will show that for all possible values of \(\lambda\), the necessary conditions are sufficient for the LOE and OLE decompositions.

M. Afkhami1,2, M. Karimi3, K. Khashyarmanesh2,3
1Department of Mathematics, University of Neyshabur, P.O.Box 91136-899, Neyshabur, Iran
2School of Mathematics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences(IPM), P.O.Boz 19395-5746, Tehran, Iran
3Department of Pure Mathematics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O.Box 1159-91775, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract:

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring. The regular digraph of ideals of \(R\), denoted by \(\mathcal{R}(R)\), is a digraph whose vertex-set is the set of all non-trivial ideals of \(R\) and, for every two distinct vertices \(I\) and \(J\), there is an arc from \(I\) to \(J\), whenever \(I\) contains a non-zero divisor of \(J\). In this paper, we investigate the planarity of \(\mathcal{R}(R)\). We also completely characterize the rings \(R\) such that \(\mathcal{R}(R)\) is a ring graph, and the situations under which the genus of \(\mathcal{R}(R)\) is finite. Moreover, we study the independence number and the girth of \(\mathcal{R}(R)\), and also we find all cases that \(\mathcal{R}(R)\) is bipartite.

Yong Zhang1,2, Wen Li1, Ruizhong Wei2
1School of Mathematics and Statistics, Yancheng Teachers University, Jiangsu 224002, PR China
2Department of Computer Science, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
Abstract:

In this paper, the existence of Yang Hui type magic squares of order \(n\) with \(t\)-powered sum (YMS(\(n\), \(t\))) for general \(t\) is investigated. Some constructions of YMS(\(n\), \(t\)) are obtained by using strongly symmetric self-orthogonal diagonal Latin squares and magic rectangles. Applying these constructions, it is proved that for an integer \(t > 1\) there exist both a symmetric elementary YMS(\(2^t\), \(2t – 2\)) and a symmetric elementary YMS(\(2^t – k\), \(2t\)) for odd \(k > 1\), which improves the known result on YMSs.

Zoran Z. Petrovié 1, Zoran S. Pucanovié2
1Faculty of Mathematics University of Belgrade Studentski trg 16 11000 Beograd, Serbia
2Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Belgrade Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 73 11000 Beograd, Serbia
Abstract:

To gain a better understanding of clean rings and their relatives, the clean graph of a commutative ring with identity is introduced and its various properties are established. Further investigation of clean graphs leads to additional results concerning other classes of rings.

Guanglong Yu1, Shuguang Guo1, Mingqing Zhai2
1Department of Mathematics, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, 224002, Jiangsu, P.R. China
2Department of Mathematics, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou, 239012, Anhui, P.R. China
Abstract:

For a connected graph, the distance spectral radius is the largest eigenvalue of its distance matrix. In this paper, of all trees with both given order and fixed diameter, the trees with the minimal distance spectral radius are completely characterized.

Ch. Eslahchi1, H.R. Maimani2,3, R. Torabi4, R. Tusserkani3
1 Department of Computer Science, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C. Tehran, Iran.
2Department of Mathematics, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
3School of Computer Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran,Iran.
4School of Computer Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran,iran.
Abstract:

In this paper, a domination-type parameter, called dynamical \(2\)-domination number, will be introduced. Let \(G = (V(G), E(G))\) be a graph. A subset \(D \subseteq V(G)\) is called a \(2\)-dominating set in \(G\) if every vertex in \(V(G) \setminus D\) is adjacent to at least two vertices in \(D\), and in this paper \(D\) is called a dynamical \(2\)-dominating set if there exists a sequence of sets \(D = V_0 \subseteq V_1 \subseteq V_2 \subseteq \cdots \subseteq V_k = V(G)\) such that, for each \(i\), \(V_{i-1}\) is a \(2\)-dominating set in \(\langle V_i \rangle\), the induced subgraph generated by \(V_i\). Also, for a given graph \(G\), the size of its dynamical \(2\)-dominating sets of minimum cardinality will be called the dynamical \(2\)-domination number of \(G\) and will be denoted by \(\bar{\gamma}_{2}(G)\). We study some basic properties of dynamical \(2\)-dominating sets and compute \(\bar{\gamma}_{2}(G)\) for some graph classes. Also, some results about \(\bar{\gamma}_{2}\) of a number of binary operations on graphs are proved. A characterization of graphs with extreme values of \(\bar{\gamma}_{2}\) is presented. Finally, we study this concept for trees and give an upper bound and a lower bound for the dynamical \(2\)-domination number of trees.