Cubic identity graphs and planar graphs derived from trees

Abstract

AbstractThe smallest (nontrivial) identity graph is known to have six points and the smallest identity tree seven. It is now shown that the smallest cubic identity graphs have 12 points and that exactly two of them are planar, namely those constructed by Frucht in his proof that every finite group is isomorphic to the automorphism group of some cubic graph. Both of these graphs can be obtained from plane trees by joining consecutive endpoints; it is shown that when applied to identity trees this construction leads to identity graphs except in certain specified cases. In appendices all connected cubic graphs with 10 points or fewer, and all cubic nonseparable planar graphs with 12 points, are displayed.