On the sigma chromatic number of the join of a finite number of paths and cycles

Abstract

Let [Formula: see text] be a simple connected graph and [Formula: see text] a coloring of the vertices in [Formula: see text] For any [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the sum of colors of the vertices adjacent to [Formula: see text]. Then [Formula: see text] is called a sigma coloring of [Formula: see text] if for any two adjacent vertices [Formula: see text]. The minimum number of colors needed in a sigma coloring of [Formula: see text] is the sigma chromatic number of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text] In this paper, we prescribe a sigma coloring of the join of paths and cycles. As a consequence, we determine the sigma chromatic number of the join of a finite number of paths and cycles. In particular, let [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] If [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] is an odd cycle, for some [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] otherwise.