The main goal of this note is to provide a First-Order Logic with Betweenness (FOLB) axiomatization of the main classes of graphs occurring in Metric Graph Theory, in analogy to Tarski’s axiomatization of Euclidean geometry. We provide such an axiomatization for weakly modular graphs and their principal subclasses (median and modular graphs, bridged graphs, Helly graphs, dual polar graphs, etc), basis graphs of matroids and even ∆-matroids, partial cubes and their subclasses (ample partial cubes, tope graphs of oriented matroids and complexes of oriented matroids, bipartite Pasch and Peano graphs, cellular and hypercellular partial cubes, almost-median graphs, netlike partial cubes), and Gromov hyperbolic graphs. On the other hand, we show that some classes of graphs (including chordal, planar, Eulerian, and dismantlable graphs), closely related with Metric Graph Theory, but defined in a combinatorial or topological way, do not allow such an axiomatization.

First-order logic axiomatization of metric graph theory

In this paper we consider certain types of betweenness axioms on the interval function $I_G$ of a connected graph $G$. We characterize the class of graphs for which $I_G$ satisfy these axioms. The class of graphs that we characterize include the important class of Ptolemaic graphs and some proper superclasses of Ptolemaic graphs: the distance hereditary graphs and the bridged graphs. We also provide axiomatic characterizations of the interval function of these classes of graphs using an arbitrary function known as \emph{transit function}.

The Interval function, Ptolemaic, distance hereditary, bridged graphs and axiomatic characterizations.

Axiomatic Characterization of the Toll Walk Function of Some Graph Classes

The interval function and the induced path function are two well studied class of set functions of a connected graph having interesting properties and applications to convexity, metric graph theory. Both these functions can be framed as special instances of a general set function termed as a transit function defined on the Cartesian product of a non-empty set $V$ to the power set of $V$ satisfying the expansive, symmetric and idempotent axioms. In this paper, we propose a set of independent first order betweenness axioms on an arbitrary transit function and provide characterization of the interval function of Ptolemaic graphs and the induced path function of chordal graphs in terms of an arbitrary transit function. This in turn gives new characterizations of the Ptolemaic and chordal graphs.

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Lekshmi Kamal K. Sheela

Papers

The Interval function, Ptolemaic, distance hereditary, bridged graphs and axiomatic characterizations.

Axiomatic Characterization of the Toll Walk Function of Some Graph Classes

Axiomatic characterizations of Ptolemaic and chordal graphs