Get Math Help

GET TUTORING NEAR ME!

By submitting the following form, you agree to Club Z!'s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Chromatic Number

    Basic definition

    The chromatic number is the smallest number of colors necessary to color the vertices of a graph or the regions of a surface such that no two adjacent vertices or regions are the same color.

    Detailed definition

    The chromatic number of a graph G is the smallest number of colors needed to color the vertices of G so that no two adjacent vertices share the same color, i.e., the smallest value of k possible to obtain a k-coloring. Minimal colorings and chromatic numbers for a sample of graphs are illustrated above.
The chromatic number of a graph G is most commonly denoted χ(G) (e.g., Skiena 1990, West 2000, Godsil and Royle 2001, Pemmaraju and Skiena 2003), but occasionally also γ(G).
Empty graphs have chromatic number 1, while non-empty bipartite graphs have chromatic number 2.

    Educational grade level

    college level

    Find the right fit or it’s free.

    We guarantee you’ll find the right tutor, or we’ll cover the first hour of your lesson.