[Math] Are these two 10-vertex graphs isomorphic

discrete mathematicsgraph theory

Two graphs

Explain if these two graphs are isomorphic. If so, give the 1-1 correspondence of nodes.

I've checked that the two graphs have the same degrees, edges, and vertices, and check that they both aren't bipartite. I just can't seem to come up with a correct 1-1 node correspondence.

Best Answer

The graph at left has a 3-cycle $(a,b,j)$ (also $(f,e,g)$). The graph at right has none. They are not isomorphic.

It may be worth noting that the graph at right is simply (the skeleton of) a pentagonal prism; consequently, each vertex is (in an appropriate sense) "equivalent" to every other vertex. This is not the case in the graph at left.

Also, the graph at right, as illustrated, is planar; no edges intersect. In the graph at left, you can replace "chords" $bj$ and $eg$ with paths that travel "outside the circle", eliminating intersections with $af$, but you can't do that with both of $ch$ and $di$ and not have $ch$ and $di$ cross; an edge intersection is inevitable (although this needs rigorous proof), so the graph is non-planar.

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