[Math] Prove that there exists a set of $k$ edge-disjoint walks that cover a graph with $2k$ odd-degree vertices

graph theoryproof-explanation

I need some help understanding this proof.

Full question:

For some $k$, let $G$ be a connected graph with $2k$ odd-degree vertices, and any number of even-degree vertices. We say that a set of edge-disjoint walks cover $G$ if no edge is repeated within a walk, and every edge of $G$ is used in exactly one walk in the set.Prove that there exists a set of k edge-disjoint walks that cover $G$. (Hint: Turn this into an Eulerian circuit problem by adding $k$ new vertices and $2k$ new edges.

Full answer:

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The part that I don't understand are the (capital) $W$s. Where did they come from? Why are there $k$ of them? Why are they between the pairs of the newly formed edges?

I understand that a Eulerian circuit must exist since all the vertices are now even-degree, but I don't understand how we break it up into $k$ walks, and why we position them the way we do.

Best Answer

If we remove one of the additional vertices from $G'$, the resulting graph contains an Eulerian walk $W_1$ since there are now two vertices of odd degree. Removing the next additional vertex splits $W_1$ into two walks, let's call them $W_1, W_2$. Removing the next vertex splits one of the walks $W_1, W_2$ into two walks again resulting in walks $W_1, W_2, W_3$. Repeat until all additional vertices have been removed, count the walks produced.

Since an Eulerian walk visits every edge exactly once, splitting it into several parts results in edge disjoint walks and because we only removed the additional edges and vertices, the resulting walks cover $G$.