Concerning the relationship between realizations and tight spans of finite metrics

• Given a metric d on a finite set X, a realization of d is a weighted graph $G=(V,E,w\colon \ E \to {\Bbb R}_{>0})$ with $X \subseteq V$ such that for all $x,y \in X$ the length of any shortest path in G between x and y equals d(x,y). In this paper we consider two special kinds of realizations, optimal realizations and hereditarily optimal realizations, and their relationship with the so-called tight span. In particular, we present an infinite family of metrics {dk}k≥1, and—using a new characterization for when the so-called underlying graph of a metric is an optimal realization that we also present—we prove that dk has (as a function of k) exponentially many optimal realizations with distinct degree sequences. We then show that this family of metrics provides counter-examples to a conjecture made by Dress in 1984 concerning the relationship between optimal realizations and the tight span, and a negative reply to a question posed by Althofer in 1988 on the relationship between optimal and hereditarily optimal realizations.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

MATHEMATICS

MATEMATIK

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