The probability that a point of a tree is fixed

Abstract

AbstractUsing arguments involving combinatorial enumeration and asymptotics we compute the probability that a point of a random tree is fixed. The method is also applied to homeomorphically irreducible trees to illustrate how it works for other species of trees. To the nearest per cent, the limiting probability of a fixed point in a randomtree is 70%, and for homeomorphically irreducible trees it is 20%.