Edwin Clark asked:
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Let G be a graph whose vertices are N, the natural numbers. Suppose for every n the subgraph G_n of G induced on {1,2,...,n} has a Hamiltonian path starting with 1. Does G necessarily have a Hamiltonian path?
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MIke Reid wrote:
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no. a simple counterexample is the graph
4 --- 3 --- 6 --- 7 --- 8 --- 9 -- ...
| \_ | _/
| \ | / ...
1 --- 2 --- 5
where 5 is connected to n for all n > 5 (as well as to 2 and 3 ). Since 1 and 4 each have degree 1 , they would both have to be endpoints of any infinite hamiltonian path, a contradiction.
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Nice example! Now suppose every vertex is required to have finite valence. Then I think this slight modification of Mike's example will still serve as a graph where every {1,...,n} has a Hamiltonian path, but not {1,2,3,...}.
4 --- 3 --- 6 --- 7 --- 9 --- 11 ...
|\_ | _/ | _/ | _/ |
| \ | / | / | / |
1 --- 2 --- 5 --- 8 --- 10 ---12 ...
--Dan