Chromatic number of the n-cube

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In summary, the n-cube, or hypercube, is a mathematical concept with 2^n vertices and edges. The chromatic number of the n-cube refers to the minimum number of colors needed to color each vertex without any adjacent vertices being the same color. This is determined by finding the largest integer k such that the n-cube can be partitioned into k independent sets. The significance of the chromatic number lies in its applications in graph theory and computer science. It can be greater than 2 and there are known formulas and algorithms, such as the Reed-Muller algorithm, for calculating it.
  • #1
Dragonfall
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What is the chromatic number of the n-cube? As a graph, I mean. For the square and 3-cube, for example, it's 2.
 
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  • #2
Empirical evidence suggests it's just 2.
 
  • #3
The n-cube is bipartite, so its chromatic number is 2. If we label the vertices canonically with vectors in [tex]\{0, 1\}^n[/tex], then we can partition the vertices into those with an even number of 1's and those with an odd number of 1's.
 
  • #4
Oh ya, thanks.
 

FAQ: Chromatic number of the n-cube

What is the n-cube in relation to the chromatic number?

The n-cube, also known as the hypercube, is a mathematical concept that represents an n-dimensional cube. It is composed of 2^n vertices and 2^n edges. The chromatic number of the n-cube refers to the minimum number of colors needed to color each vertex so that no two adjacent vertices are the same color.

How is the chromatic number of the n-cube determined?

The chromatic number of the n-cube is determined by finding the largest integer k such that the n-cube can be partitioned into k independent sets. This is also known as the "coloring number" of the n-cube.

What is the significance of the chromatic number of the n-cube?

The chromatic number of the n-cube has important applications in graph theory and computer science. It can be used to determine the minimum number of frequencies needed for frequency assignment problems and the minimum number of processors needed for parallel computing.

Can the chromatic number of the n-cube be greater than 2?

Yes, the chromatic number of the n-cube can be greater than 2. In fact, for n > 2, the chromatic number of the n-cube is always greater than 2. This means that at least 3 colors are needed to color the vertices of the n-cube without any adjacent vertices being the same color.

Are there any known formulas or algorithms for calculating the chromatic number of the n-cube?

Yes, there are several known formulas and algorithms for calculating the chromatic number of the n-cube. One example is the Reed-Muller algorithm, which can be used to determine the chromatic number for any n-cube. Other formulas and algorithms have also been developed, but they may not be applicable for all values of n.

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