An efficient recursive decomposition algorithm for undirected graphs

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Heng, Pei, Sun, Yi, Guo, Jianhua
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Heng, Pei
Sun, Yi
Guo, Jianhua
author_facet Heng, Pei
Sun, Yi
Guo, Jianhua
contents The decomposition of undirected graphs simplifies complex problems by breaking them into solvable subgraphs, following the philosophy of divide and conquer. This paper investigates the relationship between atom decomposition and the maximum cardinality search (MCS) ordering in general undirected graphs. Specifically, we prove that applying a convex extension to the node numbered $1$ and its neighborhood in an MCS ordering yields an atom in the graph. Furthermore, based on the MCS ordering, we introduce a recursive algorithm for decomposing an undirected graph into its atoms. This approach closely aligns with the results of chordal graph decomposition. As a result, minimal triangulation of the graph is no longer required, and the identification of clique minimal separators is avoided. In the experimental section, we combine the proposed decomposition algorithm with two existing convex expansion methods. The results show that both combinations significantly outperform the existing algorithms in terms of efficiency.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_19189
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle An efficient recursive decomposition algorithm for undirected graphs
Heng, Pei
Sun, Yi
Guo, Jianhua
Data Structures and Algorithms
Combinatorics
05C90
The decomposition of undirected graphs simplifies complex problems by breaking them into solvable subgraphs, following the philosophy of divide and conquer. This paper investigates the relationship between atom decomposition and the maximum cardinality search (MCS) ordering in general undirected graphs. Specifically, we prove that applying a convex extension to the node numbered $1$ and its neighborhood in an MCS ordering yields an atom in the graph. Furthermore, based on the MCS ordering, we introduce a recursive algorithm for decomposing an undirected graph into its atoms. This approach closely aligns with the results of chordal graph decomposition. As a result, minimal triangulation of the graph is no longer required, and the identification of clique minimal separators is avoided. In the experimental section, we combine the proposed decomposition algorithm with two existing convex expansion methods. The results show that both combinations significantly outperform the existing algorithms in terms of efficiency.
title An efficient recursive decomposition algorithm for undirected graphs
topic Data Structures and Algorithms
Combinatorics
05C90
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.19189