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On a class of polynomials associated with the cliques in a graph and its applications. (English) Zbl 0718.05043

Summary: The clique polynomial of a graph is defined. An explicit formula is then derived for the clique polynomial of the complete graph. A fundamental theorem and a reduction process is then given for clique polynomials. Basic properties of the polynomial are also given. It is shown that the number theoretic functions defined by P. K. Menon [J. Comb. Inf. Syst. Sci. 1, 112-121 (1976; Zbl 0429.05009)] are related to clique polynomials. This establishes a connection between the clique polynomial and decompositions of finite sets, symmetric groups and analysis.

MSC:

05C70 Edge subsets with special properties (factorization, matching, partitioning, covering and packing, etc.)
05C35 Extremal problems in graph theory
05A99 Enumerative combinatorics

Citations:

Zbl 0429.05009