Minimizing the number of 5-cycles in graphs with given edge-density

Abstract

AbstractMotivated by the work of Razborov about the minimal density of triangles in graphs we study the minimal density of the 5-cycle C5. We show that every graph of order n and size $ (1 - 1/k) \left( {\matrix{n \cr 2 }} \right) $, where k ≥ 3 is an integer, contains at least $$({1 \over {10}} - {1 \over {2k}} + {1 \over {{k^2}}} - {1 \over {{k^3}}} + {2 \over {5{k^4}}}){n^5} + o({n^5})$$ copies of C5. This bound is optimal, since a matching upper bound is given by the balanced complete k-partite graph. The proof is based on the flag algebras framework. We also provide a stability result. An SDP solver is not necessary to verify our proofs.