Contributions to Geometry and Graph Theory

• Main Author: Schuerger, Houston S
• Other Authors: Anghel, Nicolae
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2020
• Subjects: zero forcing; path covers; Pascal's Hexagon Theorem; Mathematics
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1707341/

In geometry we will consider n-dimensional generalizations of the Power of a Point Theorem and of Pascal's Hexagon Theorem. In generalizing the Power of a Point Theorem, we will consider collections of cones determined by the intersections of an (n-1)-sphere and a pair of hyperplanes. We will then use these constructions to produce an n-dimensional generalization of Pascal's Hexagon Theorem, a classical plane geometry result which states that "Given a hexagon inscribed in a conic section, the three pairs of continuations of opposite sides meet on a straight line." Our generalization of this theorem will consider a pair of n-simplices intersecting an (n-1)-sphere, and will conclude with the intersections of corresponding faces lying in a hyperplane. In graph theory we will explore the interaction between zero forcing and cut-sets. The color change rule which lies at the center of zero forcing says "Suppose that each of the vertices of a graph are colored either blue or white. If u is a blue vertex and v is its only white neighbor, then u can force v to change to blue." The concept of zero forcing was introduced by the AIM Minimum Rank - Special Graphs Work Group in 2007 as a way of determining bounds on the minimum rank of graphs. Later, Darren Row established results concerning the zero forcing numbers of graphs with a cut-vertex. We will extend his work by considering graphs with arbitrarily large cut-sets, and the collections of components they yield, to determine results for the zero forcing numbers of these graphs.