The total Steiner number of a graph

Abstract

A total Steiner set of [Formula: see text] is a Steiner set [Formula: see text] such that the subgraph [Formula: see text] induced by [Formula: see text] has no isolated vertex. The minimum cardinality of a total Steiner set of [Formula: see text] is the total Steiner number of [Formula: see text] and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. Some general properties satisfied by this concept are studied. Connected graphs of order [Formula: see text] with total Steiner number 2 or 3 are characterized. We partially characterized classes of graphs of order [Formula: see text] with total Steiner number equal to [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. It is shown that [Formula: see text]. It is shown that for every pair k, p of integers with [Formula: see text], there exists a connected graph [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. Also, it is shown that for every positive integer [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], there exists a connected graph [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].