An unbounded gap between domination parameters in two graph products

We refute Conjecture 3 in Davila’s Automated Conjecturing with TxGraffiti, which compares ordinary domination in a direct product with total domination in a Cartesian product. A connected bipartite graph H on twelve vertices satisfies γ(P₅×H)=15 and γₜ(P₅□H)=14. Joining copies gives connected bipartite partners on 12m vertices, of maximum degree at most six, with exact values 15m and 14m. Thus the additive gap is unbounded with P₅ fixed. We prove that five is the minimum failing connected factor order; a computer-assisted exclusion proves that twelve is the minimum connected partner order against P₅. The same partner fails against every once-subdivided star, and every connected graph embeds as an induced subgraph of a failing connected factor. For the supremum R₅ of the product-value ratio with P₅ fixed, we prove 9/8≤R₅≤43/38; whether R₅=9/8 remains open. The upper bound combines a Hall assignment with finite exact inequalities. The fractional comparison also fails, with sharp ratio between 17/16 and 10/9. Both lower ratio limits persist with arbitrarily high partner vertex connectivity. A separate computer-assisted theorem gives the sharp tree-partner ratio 43/42, including a failing pair of trees. The twelve-vertex construction, its chains and the subdivided-star values have hand proofs and Lean formalizations. This preprint includes a mathematical supplement and a verification archive specifying the proofs, computational trust and reproduction commands. It has not undergone external peer review. Substantial AI assistance is disclosed in the manuscript.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23360979
Primary Topic
Advanced Graph Theory Research
Type
preprint
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preprint

An unbounded gap between domination parameters in two graph products

Patrick Boris Willem Blankers
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Advanced Graph Theory Research
preprint

An unbounded gap between domination parameters in two graph products

Patrick Boris Willem Blankers
preprint en

Abstract

We refute Conjecture 3 in Davila’s Automated Conjecturing with TxGraffiti, which compares ordinary domination in a direct product with total domination in a Cartesian product. A connected bipartite graph H on twelve vertices satisfies γ(P₅×H)=15 and γₜ(P₅□H)=14. Joining copies gives connected bipartite partners on 12m vertices, of maximum degree at most six, with exact values 15m and 14m. Thus the additive gap is unbounded with P₅ fixed. We prove that five is the minimum failing connected factor order; a computer-assisted exclusion proves that twelve is the minimum connected partner order against P₅. The same partner fails against every once-subdivided star, and every connected graph embeds as an induced subgraph of a failing connected factor. For the supremum R₅ of the product-value ratio with P₅ fixed, we prove 9/8≤R₅≤43/38; whether R₅=9/8 remains open. The upper bound combines a Hall assignment with finite exact inequalities. The fractional comparison also fails, with sharp ratio between 17/16 and 10/9. Both lower ratio limits persist with arbitrarily high partner vertex connectivity. A separate computer-assisted theorem gives the sharp tree-partner ratio 43/42, including a failing pair of trees. The twelve-vertex construction, its chains and the subdivided-star values have hand proofs and Lean formalizations. This preprint includes a mathematical supplement and a verification archive specifying the proofs, computational trust and reproduction commands. It has not undergone external peer review. Substantial AI assistance is disclosed in the manuscript.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Advanced Graph Theory Research
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