Symmetry in Graphs

This is the first full-length book on the theme of symmetry in graphs, a fast-growing topic in algebraic graph theory. Suitable for graduate students, it goes from basic material on vertex-transitive graphs and permutation group theory right up to the field's major open problems, and includes many examples and exercises illustrating the theory.

This is the first full-length book on the major theme of symmetry in graphs. Forming part of algebraic graph theory, this fast-growing field is concerned with the study of highly symmetric graphs, particularly vertex-transitive graphs, and other combinatorial structures, primarily by group-theoretic techniques. In practice the street goes both ways and these investigations shed new light on permutation groups and related algebraic structures. The book assumes a first course in graph theory and group theory but no specialized knowledge of the theory of permutation groups or vertex-transitive graphs. It begins with the basic material before introducing the field''s major problems and most active research themes in order to motivate the detailed discussion of individual topics that follows. Featuring many examples and over 450 exercises, it is an essential introduction to the field for graduate students and a valuable addition to any algebraic graph theorist''s bookshelf.