How to color?

Take any map and divide it into a set of connected regions: R1, R2 … Rn with continuous boundaries.
There must be some way to assign each region Ri  -> in the set {R, G, B, Y}, such that if two regions Ri and  Rj are “touching” (i.e. they share some nonzero length of the boundary between them), they must receive different colors. 

Example – Four Color Theorem

1. The four-color map is shown below : 

A planar map

Here, as you can see, every region that touches another region has a different color than the touching one & we required a total of a maximum of four colors to color this map – Red, Green, Blue & yellow.

2. The transformation of an uncolored  Map G into a colored Map is  shown below –

Map G

Here you can see that every region that touches another region has a different color than the touching one & we required a total of maximum four colors to color this map – Red, Green, Blue & yellow.

3. The transformation of an uncolored  Map H into a colored Map is  shown below –

Map H

Here also you can see that every region that touches another region has a different color than the touching one & we required a total of a maximum of four colors to color this map – Red, Green, Blue & yellow.

Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem in Discrete Mathematics

The Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem are two fundamental results in discrete mathematics, specifically in the field of graph theory. Both theorems address the properties of planar graphs but from different perspectives.

In this article, we will understand about Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem in Discrete Mathematics, their definition, examples, and semantic differences between them.

Table of Content

  • Four Color Theorem in Discrete Mathematics
    • Four Color Theorem Definition
  • How to color?
    • Example – Four Color Theorem
  • Kuratowski’s Theorem in Discrete Mathematics
    • Kuratowski’s Theorem Definition
    • Example – Kuratowski’s Theorem
  • Semantic Difference between Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem

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Four Color Theorem in Discrete Mathematics

In 1852, Francis Guthrie, a student of Augustus De Morgan, a notable British mathematician and logician, proposed the 4-color problem. He defined the problem in terms of maps that meet specific requirements, such as not having any holes and connecting every region (e.g. country or state) so that no region exists in two or more non-contiguous sections....

How to color?

Take any map and divide it into a set of connected regions: R1, R2 … Rn with continuous boundaries.There must be some way to assign each region Ri  -> in the set {R, G, B, Y}, such that if two regions Ri and  Rj are “touching” (i.e. they share some nonzero length of the boundary between them), they must receive different colors....

Kuratowski’s Theorem in Discrete Mathematics

Kuratowski established the theorem establishing a necessary and sufficient condition for planarity in 1930. The theorem states that –...

Semantic Difference between Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem

Feature Four Color Theorem Kuratowski’s Theorem Main Focus Coloring of planar graphs Characterization of planar graphs Historical Significance First major theorem proven using computers Fundamental characterization of planarity in graphs Applications Map coloring, frequency assignment, circuit design Planarity testing, graph drawing, topological studies Graph Type Applies to all planar graphs Identifies non-planar graphs by forbidden subgraphs Proof Method Proof by exhaustion using computer assistance Combinatorial and structural proof...

FAQs on Four Color Theorem and Kuratowski’s Theorem

What is the Four Color Theorem?...