The Segment Number: Algorithms and Universal Lower Bounds for Some Classes of Planar Graphs

Ina Goeßmann, Jonathan Klawitter, Boris Klemz, Felix Klesen, Stephen Kobourov, Myroslav Kryven, Alexander Wolff, Johannes Zink

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The of a planar graph G is the smallest number of line segments needed for a planar straight-line drawing of G. Dujmović, Eppstein, Suderman, and Wood [CGTA’07] introduced this measure for the visual complexity of graphs. There are optimal algorithms for trees and worst-case optimal algorithms for outerplanar graphs, 2-trees, and planar 3-trees. It is known that every cubic triconnected planar n-vertex graph (except $$K:4$$ ) has segment number $$n/2+3$$, which is the only known universal lower bound for a meaningful class of planar graphs. We show that every triconnected planar 4-regular graph can be drawn using at most $$n+3$$ segments. This bound is tight up to an additive constant, improves a previous upper bound of $$7n/4+2$$ implied by a more general result of Dujmović et al., and supplements the result for cubic graphs. We also give a simple optimal algorithm for cactus graphs, generalizing the above-mentioned result for trees. We prove the first linear universal lower bounds for outerpaths, maximal outerplanar graphs, 2-trees, and planar 3-trees. This shows that the existing algorithms for these graph classes are constant-factor approximations. For maximal outerpaths, our bound is best possible and can be generalized to circular arcs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGraph-Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science - 48th International Workshop, WG 2022, Revised Selected Papers
EditorsMichael A. Bekos, Michael Kaufmann
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages271-286
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9783031159138
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event48th International Workshop on Graph-Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science, WG 2022 - Tübingen, Germany
Duration: Jun 22 2022Jun 24 2022

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume13453 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference48th International Workshop on Graph-Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science, WG 2022
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityTübingen
Period6/22/226/24/22

Keywords

  • Lower/upper bounds
  • Segment number
  • Visual complexity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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