Abstract
We study modular and integral flow polynomials of graphs by means of subgroup arrangements and lattice polytopes. We introduce an Eulerian equivalence relation on orientations, flow arrangements, and flow polytopes; and we apply the theory of Ehrhart polynomials to obtain properties of modular and integral flow polynomials. The emphasis is on the geometrical treatment through subgroup arrangements and Ehrhart polynomials. Such viewpoint leads to a reciprocity law on the modular flow polynomial, which gives rise to an interpretation on the values of the modular flow polynomial at negative integers and answers a question by Beck and Zaslavsky.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 751-779 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Graphs and Combinatorics |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2012 |
Keywords
- Characteristic polynomial
- Directed Eulerian subgraph
- Dual flow polynomial
- Eulerian equivalence relation
- Flow polynomial
- Flow polytope
- Hyperplane arrangement
- Integer flow
- Modular flow
- Orientation
- Reciprocity law
- Subgroup arrangement
- Totally cyclic orientation
- Tutte polynomial