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A NEW PROOF OF
THE FOUR COLOUR THEOREMBY
ASHAY DHARWADKER
INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS
H-501 PALAM VIHARDISTRICT GURGAONHARYANA 1 2 2 0 1 7
INDIA
COPYRIGHT 2000 ASHAY DHARWADKER
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to theCanadian Mathematical Societyfor selecting this website as a "cool math site of theweek" and knot No. 221 in their popular braid of links on October 5, 2000; Thanks to the editors of the
The Math Forum at Drexel University for providing an elegant review of this website and its
classification in both their Group Theory and Graph Theory categories; Thanks to the editors ofTlvunot Frttahorn at Akureyri University for writing an article about this proof; Thanks toDominic Verderaime for citing this proof in his essay on theHistory of the Four Color Theorem;Thanks to Anita Pasotti for citing this proof in her article on the Teorema dei Quattro Colori e laTeoria dei Grafi;This proof has also been cited inApplications of Graph Theorypublished by theKorean Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics; Thanks to the editors of Yahoo! for featuring
this website in their list of Famous Mathematics Problems;We are pleased to announce that thisproof will now appear as the fourteenth chapter of the book Graph Theoryto be published by Orient
Longman and Universities Press of India.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
I. MAP COLOURING
II. STEINER SYSTEMS
III. EILENBERG MODULES
IV. HALL MATCHINGS
V. RIEMANN SURFACES
VI. MAIN CONSTRUCTION
REFERENCES
F igure 0.Map of Madhya Pradesh and adjoining states in India
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INTRODUCTION
The famous four colour theorem seems to have been first proposed by Mbius in 1840,
later by DeMorgan and the Guthrie brothers in 1852, and again by Cayley in 1878. Theproblem of proving this theorem has a distinguished history, details of which abound in
the literature. The statement of the theorem may be introduced as follows. In colouring a
geographical map it is customary to give different colours to any two countries that have
a segment of their boundaries in common. It has been found empirically that any map,
no matter how many countries it contains nor how they are situated, can be so coloured
by using only four different colours. The map of India requires four colours in the states
bordering Madhya Pradesh. The fact that no map was ever found whose colouring
requires more than four colours suggests the mathematical theorem.
FOUR COLOUR THEOREM.For any subdivision of the plane into non-overlapping
regions, it is always possible to mark each of the regions with one of the numbers0, 1, 2, 3in such a way that no two adjacent regions receive the same number.
STEPS OF THE PROOF: We shall outline the strategy of the new proof given in this
paper. In section I onMAP COLOURING,we define maps on the sphere and their proper
colouring. For purposes of proper colouring it is equivalent to consider maps on the
plane and furthermore, only maps which have exactly three edges meeting at each
vertex. Lemma 1 proves the six colour theorem using Eulers formula, showing that anymap on the plane may be properly coloured by using at most six colours. We may then
make the following basic definitions.
Define N to be the minimal number of colours required to properly colour anymap from the class of all maps on the plane.
Based on the definition of N, select a specific map m(N) on the plane which
requires no fewer thanNcolours to be properly coloured.
Based on the definition of the map m(N), select a proper colouring of the regions
of the map m(N) using theNcolours 0, 1, ...,N-1.
The whole proof works with the fixed number N, the fixed map m(N) and the fixed
proper colouring of the regions of the map m(N). In section II we define
STEINER SYSTEMS and prove Tits inequality and its consequence that if a Steiner
system S(N+1, 2N, 6N) exists, then Ncannot exceed 4. Now the goal is to demonstratethe existence of such a Steiner system. In section III we defineEILENBERG MODULES.The regions of the map m(N) are partitioned into disjoint, nonempty equivalence classes
0, 1, ..., N-1 according to the colour they receive. This set is given the structure of the
cyclic group ZN = {0, 1, ..., N-1} under addition modulo N. We regard ZN as an
Eilenberg module for the symmetric group S3 on three letters and consider the split
extension ZN]S3 corresponding to the trivial representation of S3. By section IV on
HALL MATCHINGSwe are able to choose a common system of coset representatives for
the left and right cosets of S3in the full symmetric group on |ZN]S3| letters. For each such
common representative and for each ordered pair of elements of S3, in section V on
RIEMANN SURFACESwe establish a certain action of the two-element cyclic group on
twelve copies of the partitioned map m(N) by using the twenty-fourth root function ofthe sheets of the complex plane. Using this action, section VI gives the details of the
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MAIN CONSTRUCTION.The 6Nelements of ZN]S3are regarded as the set of points and
lemma 23 builds the blocks of 2Npoints with every set of N+1 points contained in a
unique block. This constructs a Steiner system S(N+1, 2N, 6N) which implies by Titsinequality thatNcannot exceed 4, completing the proof. The lemmas 1-23 and theorem
24 below are written in logical sequence.
I. MAP COLOURING
A mapon the sphere is a subdivision of the surface into finitely many regions. A map is
regarded as properly coloured if each region receives a colour and no two regions
having a whole segment of their boundaries in common receive the same colour. Since
deformations of the regions and their boundary lines do not affect the proper colouring
of a map, we shall confine ourselves to maps whose regions are bounded by simple
closed polygons. For purposes of proper colouring it is equivalent to consider maps
drawn on the plane. Any map on the sphere may be represented on the plane by boring a
small hole through the interior of one of the regions and deforming the resulting surface
until it is flat. Conversely, by a reversal of this process, any map on the plane may be
represented on the sphere. Furthermore, it suffices to consider 3-regular maps, i.e. maps
with exactly three edges meeting at each vertex, by the following argument. Replace
each vertex at which more than three edges meet by a small circle and join the interior of
each such circle to one of the regions meeting at the vertex. A new map is obtained
which is 3-regular. If this new map can be properly coloured by using at most ncolours,
then by shrinking the circles down to points, the desired colouring of the original map
using at most ncolours is obtained.
F igure 1.A map that requires four colours to be properly coloured
1. LEMMA.Any map on the sphere can be properly coloured by using at most sixcolours.
PROOF: Assume that the given map is 3-regular. First show that there must be at least
one region whose boundary is a polygon with fewer than six sides, as follows. Let Ebe
the number of edges, V the number of vertices, F the number of regions and Fn the
number of regions whose boundary is a polygon with nsides in the given map. Then
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F=F2+F3+F4+...
2E= 3V= 2F2+3F3+4F4+...
since a region bounded by n edges has n vertices and each vertex belongs to three
regions. By Eulers formula VE+F= 2,
6V6E+6F= 12 4E6E+6F= 12 6F2E= 12 6(F2+F3+F4+...)(2F2+3F3+4F4+...) = 12 4F2+3F3+2F4+F5+0+NEGATIVE TERMS = 12 .
Hence, at least one ofF2,F3,F4,F5must be positive. Now, if a regionRwith fewer thansix sides is removed from the map and the resulting map coloured with six colours
inductively, there is always a colour left forR.
By lemma 1, the minimal number of colours required to properly colour any map from
the class of all maps on the sphere is a well-defined natural number. We may now make
the following basic definition.
DEFINITION
Define N to be the minimal number of colours required to properly colour any
map from the class of all maps on the sphere. That is, given any map on the
sphere, no more thanNcolours are required to properly colour it and there exists
a map on the sphere which requires no fewer than N colours to be properlycoloured.
Based on the definition of N, select a specific map m(N) on the sphere which
requires no fewer thanNcolours to be properly coloured.
Based on the definition of the map m(N), select a proper colouring of the regions
of the map m(N) using theNcolours 0, 1, ...,N-1.
The natural numberN, the map m(N) and the proper colouring of the regions of m(N) is
fixed for all future reference. By the example shown in figure 1 and lemma 1, 4 N6.The goal is to show thatN4.
II. STEINER SYSTEMS
A Steiner systemS(t, k, v) is a set Pofpointstogether with a set Bof blockssuch that
There are vpoints.
Each block consists of kpoints.
Every set of tpoints is contained in a unique block.
Note that by definition t, k, v are nonnegative integers with tkv. Steiner systems
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with v= k(only one block that contains all the points) or k= t(every k-element subset of
points is a block) are called trivial. An example of a nontrivial Steiner system is
S(5, 8, 24) due to Witt, whose blocks are known as Golay codewords of weight eight
[see an explicit construction cf. 7]. The group of automorphisms of S(5, 8, 24)
(permutations of points which permute blocks) is the largest of the Mathieu groups, M24.
2. LEMMA.[J. TITS]If there exists a nontrivial Steiner system S(t, k, v) then
v(t+1)(kt+1).
PROOF: First show that there exists a set X0of t+1 points that is not contained in any
block, as follows. Suppose that for every set X of t+1 points there is a block BX that
contains it. Then, this blockBXmust be the unique block containing X, sinceXhas more
than tpoints. Let bdenote the total number of blocks. Count in two ways the number of
pairs (X,BX) whereXis a set of t+1 points andBXis the unique block containing it. One
finds
(v
t+1) = b(k
t+1).
Count in two ways the number of pairs (Y,BY) where Yis a set of tpoints andBYis the
unique block containing it, by definition of a Steiner system. One finds
(
v
t
)= b
(
k
t
).
Hence
(v
t+1) (v
t)___ = _ = b.
(k
t+1) (k
t)and it follows that b= 1 and k= v, contradicting the hypothesis that the Steiner system is
nontrivial. Now choose a fixed set X0of t+1 points that is not contained in any block.
For each setZof tpoints contained inX0there is a unique block BZcontainingZ. Each
suchBZhas ktpoints not inX0and any point not inX0is contained in at most one suchBZ, since two such blocks already have t1 points of X0 in common. The union of theblocks BZ contains (t+1)+(t+1)(kt) points and this number cannot exceed the totalnumber of points v.
Recall the definition from section I that Nis the minimal number of colours required to
properly colour any map from the class of all maps on the sphere and m(N) is a specific
map which requires all of the Ncolours to properly colour it. The regions of the map
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m(N) have been properly coloured using theNcolours 0, 1, ...,N-1. From the map m(N)
and its fixed proper colouring, we shall construct a Steiner system S(N+1, 2N, 6N) by
defining the points and blocks in a certain way. The next lemma shows that this
construction would forceN4.
3. LEMMA.Referring to the definition ofNin sectionI, if there exists a Steiner systemS(N+1, 2N, 6N) thenN4.
PROOF: Since 4 N6 by definition, the Steiner system is nontrivial if it exists. Bylemma 2, 6N(N+1+1)(2NN1+1) = (N+2)N. Hence 6 N+2 and it follows that4 N.
Now, the goal is to demonstrate the existence of the Steiner system S(N+1, 2N, 6N)
based upon the definition of the map m(N).
III. EILENBERG MODULES
Let G be a group with identity element e and let Z denote the integers. The integral
group algebra(ZG, +, -) is a ring whose elements are formal sums
nggg
G
with g in Gand ng in Zsuch that ng= 0 for all but a finite number of g. Addition andmultiplication in ZGare defined by
ngg+ mgg =(ng+mg)g,g
G gG gG
ngg mgg =(ngh-1mh) .g
G gG gG hG
The element nof Zis identified with the element neof ZGand the element gof G isidentified with the element 1gof ZG, so that Zand Gare to be regarded as subsets of
ZG. The underlying additive abelian group (ZG, +) is the direct sum of copies of the
integers Zindexed by elements of G. If Qis a subgroup of Gthen ZQis a subring of ZG
in a natural way. For each elementgof G, the right multiplicationR(g): GG;xxgand the left multiplication L(g): GG; xgxare permutations of the set G. Denotethe group of all permutations of the set Gby Sym(G). Then
R : GSym(G);gR(g)L- : GSym(G) ;gL- (g) =L(g- )
are embeddings of the group G in Sym(G). The images R(G), L-1(G) are called the
Cayley right and left regular representations of G, respectively. The subgroup ofSym(G) generated by the set R(G)L-1(G) = {R(g), L(g-1)|gG} is called the
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combinatorial multiplication groupMlt(G) of G. There is an exact sequence of groups
T
1 C(G) GGMlt(G) 1
where T(x,y) =R(x)L(y-1) and c= (c, c) for an element cof the center C(G) of G. If Qis a subgroup of Gthen the relative combinatorial multiplication groupMltG(Q) ofQin
Gis the subgroup ofMlt(G) generated by the setR(Q)L-1(Q) = {R(q),L-1(q)|qQ}. Theorbits of the action ofMltG(Q) on Gare the double cosets QgQof the subgroup Qin G.
The stabilizer of the identity element eis the subgroup of MltG(Q) generated by the set
{T(q) = R(q)L-1(q)|qQ}. A representation of the group Q is usually defined as a
module, i.e. an abelian group (M, +), for which there is a homomorphism
T: QAut(M, +) showing how Q acts as a group of automorphisms of the module.Another approach due to Eilenberg, views a module Mfor the group Qas follows. The
setMQequipped with the multiplication
(m1, q1)(m2, q2) = (m1+ m2T(q1), q1q2)
becomes a group M]Q known as the split extension of M by Q. There is an exact
sequence of groups
1 ]QQ1
with : MM]Q; m(m, e) and : M]QQ; (m, q) q split by0: QM]Q; q(0, q). The group action Tis recovered from the split extension M]Q
by mT(q) = mR((0, q))L-1((0, q)) for minMand qin Q. In this context we shall callMan Eilenberg module for the group Q. For example, the trivial representation for the
group Qis obtained by defining T: QAut(M, +); q1M, the identity automorphismof (M, +) and the corresponding split extension is the group direct product MQ. The
Cayley right regular representation for the group Qis obtained by defining
T: QAut(ZQ, +); q(nggnggR(q)).g g
Here T(q) = R(q)L-1(q) with L-1(q) acting trivially on the module elements and R(q)
acting as the usual right multiplication. The split extension ZQ]Q has multiplicationgiven by
(m1, q1)(m2, q2) = (m1+ m2R(q1), q1q2)
for m1, m2in ZQand q1, q2in Q.
Referring to the definition in section I, Nis the minimal number of colours required to
properly colour any map from the class of all maps on the sphere and m(N) is a specific
map that requires all of N colours to be properly coloured. Note that m(N) has been
properly coloured by using theNcolours 0, 1, ...,N-1 and this proper colouring is fixed.
The set of regions of m(N) is then partitioned into subsets 0, 1, ...,N-1 where the subset
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m consists of all the regions which receive the colour m. Note that the subsets
0, 1, ...,N-1 are each nonempty (since m(N) requires all of theNcolours to be properly
coloured) and form a partition of the set of regions of m(N) (by virtue of proper
colouring). Identify the set {0, 1, ..., N-1} with the underlying set of the N-element
cyclic groupZ
Nunder addition modulo N. Let S3denote the symmetric group on threeletters, identified with the dihedral group of order six generated by , where || = 3 and|| = 2.
4. LEMMA. (ZN, +) is an Eilenberg module for the group S3 with the trivialhomomorphism
T1: S3Aut(ZN, +); 1Z
where1ZNdenotes the identity automorphism ofZN. The corresponding split extensionZN]S3 has multiplication given by
(m1, 1)(m2, 2) = (m1+ m2, 12)
and is a group isomorphic to the direct productZNS3.
PROOF: Follows from definition.
Referring to section II, the goal is to construct a Steiner system S(N+1, 2N, 6N). We
shall take the point set of the Steiner system to be the underlying set of the split
extension ZN]S3. The following lemma is used in section V.
5. LEMMA.Let(Z(ZN]S3), +) and(ZS3, +) denote the underlying additive groups of theintegral group algebras Z(ZN]S3) and ZS3, respectively. Then (Z(ZN]S3), +) is an
Eilenberg module for the group(ZS3, +) with the trivial homomorphism
T2:(ZS3, +) Aut(Z(ZN]S3), +);n1Z(ZN]S3)S3
where 1Z(ZN]S3) denotes the identity automorphism of(Z(ZN]S3), +). The correspondingsplit extensionZ(ZN]S3)]ZS3has multiplication given by
( n(m, )(m, ), n )( n'(m, )(m, ), n' )(m, )ZN]S3 S3 (m, )ZN]S3 S3
= ( (n(m, )+n'(m, ))(m, ), (n+n') )(m, )ZN]S3 S3
and is a group isomorphic to the direct product(Z(ZN]S3)ZS3, +).
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PROOF: Follows from definition.
IV. HALL MATCHINGS
Let be a bipartite graph with vertex set V=XYand edge setE(every edge has oneend inXand the other end in Y). A matching from X to Y in is a subsetMof Esuchthat no vertex is incident with more than one edge in M. A matchingMfromXto Yin is called completeif every vertex inXis incident with an edge in M. IfAis a subset of V
then let adj(A) denote the set of all vertices adjacent to a vertex inA.
6. LEMMA. [P. HALL] If |adj(A)| |A| for every subsetA ofX then there exists acomplete matching fromXtoYin.
PROOF: A matching from X to Yin with |M| = 1 always exists by choosing a singleedge inE. LetMbe a matching from Xto Yin with medges, m< |X|. Letx0Xsuchthat x0 is not incident with any edge in M. Since |adj({x0})| 1, there is a vertex y1adjacent to x0 by an edge in E\M. If y1 is not incident with an edge in M, then stop.
Otherwise, letx1be the other end of such an edge. Ifx0,x1, ...,xkandy1, ...,ykhave been
chosen, then since |adj({x0, x1, ..., xk})| k+1, there is a vertex yk+1, distinct fromy1, ..., yk, that is adjacent to at least one vertex in {x0, x1, ..., xk}. If yk+1 is not incident
with an edge in M, then stop. Otherwise, let xk+1be the other end of such an edge. This
process must terminate with some vertex, sayyk+1. Now build a simple path fromyk+1to
x0as follows. Start withyk+1and the edge inE\Mjoining it to, sayxi1with i1< k+1. Then
add the edge inMfromxi1toyi1. By construction,yi1is joined by an edge inE\Mto somexi2with i2< i1. Continue adding edges in this way until x0is reached. One obtains a path
yk+1, xi1, yi1, xi2, yi2, ..., xir, yir, x0 of odd length 2r+1 with the r+1 edges
{yk+1,xi1}, {yi1,xi2}, ..., {yir,x0} inE\Mand the redges {xi1,yi1}, ..., {xir,yir} inM. Define
'= (M\{{xi1,yi1}, ..., {xir,yir}}){{yk+1,xi1}, {yi1,xi2}, ..., {yir,x0}}.
ThenM'is a matching from X to Yin , with |M'| = |M|-r+r+1 = |M|+1. Repeating thisprocess a finite number of times must yield a complete matching fromXto Yin .
7. LEMMA. Referring to section III, let Sym(ZN]S3) denote the group of allpermutations of the underlying set of the split extension ZN]S3 of lemma 4. Then S3embeds inSym(ZN]S3) via the Cayley right regular representation.
PROOF: Note that S3= {(0, )|S3} is a subgroup of ZN]S3. Since S3embeds in Sym(S3)via the Cayley right regular representation R() and Sym(S3) is a subgroup ofSym(ZN]S3), the lemma follows.
8. LEMMA.By lemma 7, regard S3 as a subgroup of Sym(ZN]S3). There exists acommon system of coset representatives1, ..., ksuch that{1S3, ..., kS3} is the familyof left cosets ofS3inSym(ZN]S3) and{S31, ..., S3k} is the family of right cosets ofS3inSym(Z
N]S
3).
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PROOF: By Lagranges theorem the left cosets of S3 partition Sym(ZN]S3) intok= [Sym(ZN]S3):S3] disjoint nonempty equivalence classes of size |S3| = 6. The same is
true of the right cosets. Define a bipartite graph with vertices XY whereX = {1S3, ..., kS3} is the family of left cosets of S3 in Sym(ZN]S3) and
Y = {S3'1, ..., S3'k} is the family of right cosets of S3 in Sym(ZN]S3) with an edge{iS3, S3'j} if and only if iS3and S3'jhave nonempty intersection. Note that we canselect representatives of the left cosets that belong to distinct right cosets[see a proof ofthis fact cf. 8].For any subsetA= {i1S3, ..., irS3} ofX, one has i1i1S3, ..., irirS3and there exist distinctj1, ...,jrsuch that i1S3'j1, ..., irS3'jr. Hence, in the graph ,|adj(A)| |A|. Halls hypothesis of lemma 6 is satisfied and there exists a completematching from X to Y in . This is precisely the statement that a common system ofcoset representatives 1, ..., k exists.
V. RIEMANN SURFACES
Let Cdenote the complex plane. Consider the function CC;zw=zn, where n2.There is a one-to-one correspondence between each sector
{z|(k-1)2/n< arg z< k2/n} (k = 1, ..., n)
and the whole w-plane except for the positive real axis. The image of each sector is
obtained by performing a cut along the positive real axis; this cut has an upper and a
lower edge. Corresponding to the nsectors in the z-plane, take nidentical copies of the
w-plane with the cut. These will be the sheets of the Riemann surface and aredistinguished by a label k which serves to identify the corresponding sector. For
k= 1, ..., n-1 attach the lower edge of the sheet labeled kwith the upper edge of the sheet
labeled k+1. To complete the cycle, attach the lower edge of the sheet labeled n to the
upper edge of the sheet labeled 1. In a physical sense, this is not possible without self-
intersection but the idealized model shall be free of this discrepancy. The result of the
construction is a Riemann surfacewhose points are in one-to-one correspondence with
the points of the z-plane [see a geometric model cf. 15]. This correspondence iscontinuous in the following sense. Whenzmoves in its plane, the corresponding point w
is free to move on the Riemann surface. The point w= 0 connects all the sheets and is
called the branch point. A curve must wind n times around the branch point before it
closes. Now consider the n-valued relation
= nw.
To each w0, there correspond nvalues ofz. If the w-plane is replaced by the Riemannsurface just constructed, then each complex number w0 is represented by npoints ofthe Riemann surface at superposed positions. Let the point on the uppermost sheet
represent the principal value and the other n-1 points represent the other values. Then
z= nwbecomes a single-valued, continuous, one-to-one correspondence of the pointsof the Riemann surface with the points of the z-plane. Now recall the definition of the
map m(N) from section I. The map m(N) is on the sphere. Pick a region and deform the
sphere so that both 0 and are two distinct points inside this region when the sphere is
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regarded as the extended complex plane. Using the stereographic projection one obtains
the map m(N) on the complex plane C with the region containing 0 and forming asea surrounding the other regions which form an island. Put this copy of Con eachsheet of the Riemann surface corresponding to w=zn. The branch point lies in the sea.
The inverse function z=
n
wresults in ncopies of the mapm
(N) on the z-plane in thesectors
{z|(k-1)2/n< arg z< k2/n} (k= 1, ..., n).
The origin of thez-plane lies in the nseas.
z-plane w = z Riemann surface
F igure 2.An example with n= 4
Referring to section III, the full symmetric group Sym(ZN]S3) acts faithfully on the set
ZN]S3. The action of an element of Sym(ZN]S3) on an element (m, ) of ZN]S3will bewritten as (m, ). This action extends to the integral group algebra Z(ZN]S3) bylinearity
( n(m, )(m, ))= n(m, )((m, )).(m, )ZN]S3 (m, )ZN]S3
Referring to lemma 8, fix a common coset representative iof S3in Sym(ZN]S3) and fix apair (, )S3S3 =Mlt(S3). There are two cases depending on whether = or whether.
CASE 1.Suppose . Consider the composition of the functions
CC;zt=z and CC; tw= t .
The composite is given by the assignment
t=z w= t
=z .
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There are twenty-four superposed copies of the map m(N) on the w-Riemann surfacecorresponding to the sectors
{z|(k-1)2/24< arg z< k2/24} (k= 1, ..., 24)
on the z-plane. These are divided into two sets. The first set consists of twelve
superposed copies of the map m(N) corresponding to the sectors
{z|(k-1)2/24< arg z< k2/24} (k= 1, ..., 12)
of the upper half of thez-plane which comprise the upper sheet of the t-Riemann surface.
The second set consists of twelve superposed copies of the map m(N) corresponding to
the sectors
{z|(k-1)2/24< arg z< k2/24} (k= 13, ..., 24)
of the lower half of the z-plane which comprise the lower sheet of the t-Riemann
surface.
Figure 3. Sheets of the t-Riemann surface
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Label the twelve sectors of the upper sheet of the t-Riemann surface by elements of
Z(ZN]S3)]ZS3as shown:
F igure 4. Upper sheet of the t-Riemann surface
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Label the twelve sectors of the lower sheet of the t-Riemann surface by elements of
Z(ZN]S3)]ZS3as shown:
F igure 5.Lower sheet of the t-Riemann surface
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R()i, iR(), iR(), R()i are permutations of the set ZN]S3 and the rotation of thez-plane by radians clearly induces a permutationpof the set T(, )as described.
10. LEMMA.Referring to lemma9,letSym(T(, )) denote the full permutation group of
the setT(, ).Let denote the cyclic subgroup ofSym(T(, ))generated byp. Then is nontrivial and acts faithfully on the setT(, ).
PROOF: If p = 1, then (-(0,1)R()i, +) = (-(0,1)R()i, +)p = ((0,1)iR(), +)which implies that -(0,1)R()i= (0,1)iR() in Z(ZN]S3). This is impossible since 1 -1in Z. Hencep1. Since the full permutation group Sym(T(, )) acts faithfully on T(, ),so does its subgroup .
11. LEMMA.Referring to lemma 9 and lemma 10, let 1: CC; zz denote theidentity and : CC;z-z denote the rotation through an angle of radians of the
z-plane. Then the two-element cyclic group{1, } acts faithfully on the set as
follows:pn1 =pn and pn =p1-n,for all n in Z.
PROOF: The set {1, } forms a two-element cyclic group < > under functioncomposition. To show that {1, } acts on as defined, observe that(pn) = (p1-n) = p1-(1-n)= p1-1+n= pn= pn1 = pn(), for all n in Z. To show that theaction is faithful, let {1, }. If belongs to the kernel of the action then pn = pnforall nin Zso thatp =pwhich implies that = 1, sincep1 by lemma 10.
12. LEMMA.Putting together lemma 9, lemma 10 and lemma 11, there is a well-defined action of the two-element cyclic group{1, } on the setT(, )given by
((m, )iR(), +)1 = ((m, )iR(), +)(0, +)1 = (0, +)
(-(m, )R()i, +)1 = (-(m, )R()i, +)
and
((m, )iR(), +) = (-(m, )R()i, +)(0, +) = (0, +)
(-(m, )R()i, +) = ((m,)iR(), +)
for all(m, ) in ZN]S3. This action is faithful.
PROOF: For each xT(, ), let Orb(x) = {xpn|nZ} denote the orbit of xunder .
The collection {Orb(x)|xT(, )} forms a partition of the set T(, ) as follows. Let
x, yT(, ). If zOrb(x)Orb(y) then z = xpn = ypm for some m, nZ. This implies
xpn-m= yyOrb(x) Orb(y)Orb(x) and ypm-n= x xOrb(y) Orb(x)Orb(y).
Hence Orb(x) = Orb(y). Also eachxT(, )belongs to an orbit, namelyxOrb(x). Hence
the orbits are disjoint, nonempty and their union is all of the set T(, ). For each fixed
xT(, )define
: Orb(x) Orb(x); (xpn) =xp -n.
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Then is well-defined, since xpn = xpm xpn-m = x xp-m = xpn xp1-m = xp1n (xpn) = (xpm). Also, is a permutation of Orb(x) with 2 = 1, since for each
xpnOrb(x) we have ((xpn)) = (xp1n) =xp1(1n)=xpn. Now define
: T(, )T(, ); (xpn) =xp -n
orbit by orbit. Then, since {Orb(x)|xT(, )} forms a partition of T(, ), is a well-defined permutation of T(, )with
2 = 1, the identity permutation of T(, ). Hence, using
the definition of p in lemma 9, we obtain an action of the two-element cyclic group
{1, } on T(, )as follows. For all (m, ) in ZN]S3define
((-(m, )R()i, +)p)1 = (-(m, )R()i, +)p((0, +)p)1 = (0, +)p
(((m, )iR(), +)p)1 = ((m, )iR(), +)p
and
((-(m, )R()i, +)p) = (-(m, )R()i, +)((0, +)p) = (0, +)
(((m, )iR(), +)p) = ((m, )iR(), +).
Now, using the definition ofpin lemma 9, the action of {1, } on T(, )may be rewritten
((m, )iR(), +)1 = ((m, )iR(), +)(0, +)1 = (0, +)
(-(m, )R()i, +)1 = (-(m, )R()i, +)
and
((m, )iR(), +) = (-(m, )R()i, +)(0, +) = (0, +)
(-(m, )R()i, +) = ((m, )iR(), +)
for all (m, ) inZN]S3, as in the statement of this lemma. To verify that the action of{1, } on T(, )is faithful, note that
1: T(, )T(, );xx: T(, )T(, );xx
are permutations of the set T(, ). If {1, }and belongs to the kernel of the actionthen x = x for all xT(,). Then = 1, since moves ((0, 1)iR(), +) to(-(0, 1)R()i, +) which are distinct elements of Z(ZN]S3)]ZS3.
CASE 2.Suppose = . Note that in the labelling of the sectors of the sheets of the
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t-Riemann surface in figures 4 and 5, R() = R() and + = 2 in the group algebraZS3.
13. LEMMA.Referring to lemma8,fix a common representative i of the left and right
cosets of S3inSym(ZN]S3).Fix a pair(, )
S3S3.Referring to lemma5, define a subsetT(, ) of Z(ZN]S3)]ZS3 as follows:
T(, ) = {((m, ), 2)|(m, )ZN]S3}
{(0, 2)}
{(-(m, ), 2)|(m, )ZN]S3}.
Referring to the preceding discussion, consider the composite function
t=z w= t =z
of the complex z-plane to thew-Riemann surface. There is a copy of the set T(, ) on the
upper sheet and a copy of the set T(, ) on the lower sheet of the t-Riemann surface
according to the labels of the sectors in figures 4 and 5. Note that in this case
R() =R() and + = 2 with the branch point labelled by the element(0, 2) of bothcopies. The rotation of thez-plane by radians induces a permutation
: T(, )T(, )
given by
(-(m, )R()i, 2)p = ((m, )iR(), 2)(0, 2)p = (0, 2)
((m, )iR(), 2)p = (-(m, )R()i, 2)
for all(m, )ZN]S3,such that each point of the copy ofT(, ) on the upper sheet movescontinuously along a circular curve that winds exactly once around the branch point, to
the point superposed directly below it on the copy of T(, ) on the lower sheet of the
t-Riemann surface. Then p=p-1
so that = {1,p} is a two-element cyclic subgroupof the full permutation group Sym(T(, )) and acts faithfully on the setT(, ).
PROOF: As in the proof of lemma 9, T(, ) is seen to be a well-defined subset of
Z(ZN]S3)]ZS3 by setting the appropriate coefficients to zero in a typical element as
described in lemma 5. Both iR(), R()i are permutations of the set ZN]S3 and therotation of the z-plane by radians clearly induces a permutation pof the set T(, )asdescribed. Furthermore, it is clear from the definition that p=p-1by chasing elements of
T(, ). Then = {1,p} as a subgroup of Sym(T(, )) and acts faithfully on the
set T(, ).
14. LEMMA.Referring to lemma 13, let 1: CC; zz denote the identity and
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: CC;z-z denote the rotation through an angle of radians of the z-plane. Thenthere is a well-defined action of the two-element cyclic group {1, } on the setT(, )
given by
((m, )iR(), 2)1 = ((m, )iR(), 2)(0, 2)1 = (0, 2)(-(m, )R()i, 2)1 = (-(m, )R()i, 2)
and
((m, )iR(), 2) = (-(m, )R()i, 2)(0, 2) = (0, 2)
(-(m, )R()i, 2) = ((m, )iR(), 2)
for all(m, ) in ZN]S3. This action is faithful.
PROOF: The isomorphism 1 1, p of the two-element cyclic groups {1, p} and{1, } establishes the lemma.
VI. MAIN CONSTRUCTION
RSUM.Let us review the final goal. Recall the definition made in section I. We have
defined N to be the minimal number of colours required to properly colour any mapfrom the class of all maps on the sphere. We know that 4 N6. We have chosen aspecific map m(N) on the sphere which requires all of the N colours 0, 1, ..., N-1 to
properly colour it. The map m(N) has been properly coloured and the regions of m(N)
partitioned into disjoint, nonempty equivalence classes 0, 1, ..., N-1 according to the
colour they receive. The set {0, 1, ..., N-1} is endowed with the structure of the cyclic
group ZNunder addition moduloN. In section III we have built the split extension ZN]S3.
The underlying set ZN]S3of cardinality 6Nis taken to be the point set of a Steiner system
S(N+1, 2N, 6N) which will be constructed in this section. We are required to define the
blocks of size 2Nand show that every set ofN+1 points is contained in a unique block.
Once this goal is achieved, lemma 3 shows thatN4.
15. LEMMA.LetZN]S3 denote the split extension defined in lemma4 andSym(ZN]S3)denote the full permutation group on the setZN]S3.Define
: Sym(ZN]S3) Sym(ZN]S3)
by
=R()iiR() = .
Then is a bijection of the set Sym(ZN]S3) with itself.
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PROOF: Referring to lemma 8, is well-defined since each Sym(ZN]S3) may bewritten uniquely as =R()ifor some S3and some i. Then is a surjection becausefor any Sym(ZN]S3) one may also write = iR() uniquely for some S3and somei, whenceR()iiR() = . Since Sym(ZN]S3) is a finite set, must be a bijection
by counting.
16. LEMMA.Define the set G as follows:
G = {() |Sym(ZN]S3)} = {(R()iiR())|S3
i= 1, ..., k}.
Define multiplication in G as follows:
(1
1) (2
2) = ((12)
(12))i.e.(R(1)i1i1R(1))(
R(2)i2i2R(2)) = (
R(3)i3i3R(3))
whereR(3)i3 is the unique expression forR(1)i1R(2)i2 according to the right cosetdecomposition ofS3in Sym(ZN]S3). Then G is a group.
PROOF: Referring to lemma 8 and lemma 15, the set G is well-defined by the
decomposition of Sym(ZN]S3) into the left and right cosets of S3by the i. Define
': Sym(ZN]S3) G; ().
Then ' is a well-defined bijection of the set Sym(ZN]S3) with Gsince is a bijection bylemma 15. The definition of multiplication in Gmirrors the multiplication in Sym(ZN]S3)
via ' and is designed to make Ga group and ' an isomorphism.
17. LEMMA.Consider the setZN]S3 and let
() = (R()iiR())G.
Define
(): ZN]S3ZN]S3by
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(m, )(m, )() = (m, )(R()iiR()) = (m, )R()i.
Define
(): ZN]S3ZN]S3by
(m, )(m, )() = (m, )(R()iiR()) = (m, )iR().
Then
(m, )() = (m, )() for all(m, )ZN]S3.
Both and are well-defined, faithful and|ZN]S3|-transitive right actions of the groupGon the setZN]S3.
PROOF: Referring to lemma 12 and lemma 14, put = 1. Working in the set T(1, ), foreach (m, )ZN]S3we have
((m, )(), 1+)
= ((m, )(R()iiR()), 1+)= ((m, )iR(), 1+)= (-(m, )R()i, 1+)
= (-(m, )i, 1+)
= (-(m, )R(1)i, 1+)= ((m, )iR(1), 1+)
= ((m, )i, 1+)
= ((m, )R()i, 1+)
= ((m, )(R()iiR()), 1+)
= ((m, )(), 1+)
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using the action of the two-element cyclic group {1, } on the set T(1, ) according tolemma 12 and lemma 14. Hence
(m, )() = (m, )() for all (m, )ZN]S3.
Since the action is the usual action of Sym(ZN]S3) on the set ZN]S3, it is faithful and|ZN]S3|-transitive. By the last equality, so is the action.
18. LEMMA.Let (m1, 1), ..., (mr, r) be any r distinct elements of ZN]S3 and let(n1, 1), ..., (ns, s) be any s distinct elements ofZN]S3.Let
Hr, s ={()G|
(mi, i)(
)= (mi, i)for i = 1, ..., r and
(nj, j) ()= (nj, j)for j = 1, ...,s }then Hr, sis a subgroup of G.
PROOF: Note that if = R()i= 1 then i =R()-1so that = iR() =R()
-1R() = 1.Then
(11)Hr, s
since
(mi, i)(11)= (mi, i)1 = (mi, i)
for i = 1, ..., rand
(nj, j)(11)= (nj, j)1= (nj, j)1 = (nj, j)
forj = 1, ...,s. If
(11) and (22
)Hr, s
then
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(mi, i)( (11)(22
))= (mi, i)(11)(22
)= (mi, i)
(2
2
)= (mi, i) for i = 1, ..., r
and
(nj, j)( (11)(22
))= (nj, j)(11)(22
)= (nj, j)(22)= (nj, j) forj = 1, ...,s.
Hence
(11)(22
)Hr, s
Since Gis finite,Hr, sis a subgroup of G.
Note that ZNis embedded as the subgroup {(m, 1)|mZN} in ZN]S3and S3is embedded as
the subgroup {(0, )|S3} in ZN]S3. Since ZN]S3= ZNS3is the direct product of groupsby lemma 4, both ZNand S3are normal subgroups. Recall the notation
S3= < , > = {1, , , , , }.
19. LEMMA.Define
={()G|(m, 1)()= (m, 1)for all mZNand
(0, )()= (0, ) }.Then given
()H
either
(m, )
(
)= (m, )for all(m, )ZN]S3
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or
(m, )
(
)
= (m, )for all(m, )ZN
]S3.
PROOF:His a well-defined subgroup of Gaccording to lemma 18. Let
() = (R()iiR())
and (m, )ZN]S3be given. Referring to lemmas 12 and 14, put = -1. Working in the
set T(, )we have
((m, )(), +)
= ((m, )(R()iiR()), +)= ((m, )iR(), +)
= (-(m, )R()i, +)
= (-(m, )i, +)
= (-(m, )i, +)= (-(m, )R()i, +)
= ((m, )iR(), +)
= ((m, 1)R()iR(), +)
= ((m, 1)R(), +)
= ((m, ), +)
using the definition ofHand the action of the two-element cyclic group {1,} on the set
T(,). Hence
(m, )() = (m, ) = (m, -1) = (m, ).
Now since
(0, ) = (0, )() = (0, )
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by hypothesis, we have = . Hence = so that either = 1 or = .
20. LEMMA.Let H be the subgroup of G defined in lemma 19.Then H is a nontrivial
group of involutions of the set ZN]S3. In particular, every nontrivial element of H is oforder 2.
PROOF: Define
: ZN]S3ZN]S3; (m, )(m, ).
Then
(m, 1)
(
)= (m, 1) = (m, 1) = (m, 1) for all mZ
and
(0, )() = (0, )() = (0, ) = (0, ) = (0, ).
Now 1, so
(1
1) (
)H,
henceHis nontrivial. To show that each nontrivial element ofHis of order 2, let
() = (R()iiR())H.
Then by the proof of lemma 19, = 1 or = . In particular 2 = 1. Hence, for any(m, )ZN]S3
(m, )(R()iiR())= (m, )(R()iiR())(
R()iiR())
= (m, )(R()iiR())= (m, ()) = (m, ).
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Since the action of Gon the set ZN]S3is faithful,
(R()iiR()) = (1
1)the identity element of G.
21. LEMMA.Denote the right cosets of ZNin ZN]S3by
ZN, ZN, ZN , ZN, ZN, ZN .
Define
Fix(H) ={(m, )ZN]S3|(m, )(
) = (m, )for all (
)
}.Then Fix(H) = {(m, )ZN]S3| = 1 or = }. The action of a nontrivial element of Htransposes the coset ZN with the coset ZN
2 and transposes the coset ZN with thecoset ZN
2.
PROOF: By lemmas 19 and 20, the elements
(
)H
are of two kinds:
(i)(m, )() = (m, ) for all (m, )ZN]S3
in which case
(
) = (1
1)the identity element ofH, and
(ii)(m, )() = (m, ) for all (m, )ZN]S3
in which case
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(11) ()is an element of order 2 in H. In the second case, compute according to the cosets of ZNin ZN]S3:
(m, 1)() = (m, 1) = (m, 1) for all mZN
(m, )() = (m, ) = (m, ) for all mZ
(m, )() = (m, ) = (m, 2) for all mZN
(m, 2)() = (m, (2)) = (m, ) for all mZ
(m, )() = (m, ()) = (m, 2) for all mZ
(m, 2)() = (m, (2)) = (m, ) for all mZ
and the lemma follows.
22. LEMMA.Let NormG(H) denote the normalizer of H in G. The action of G onZN]S3 restricts to an action of NormG(H) on Fix(H) which is(|ZN|+1)-transitive.
PROOF: Let
()G.
First show that
Fix(()- H() )=Fix(H)()
as follows:
(m, )Fix(()-
())
(m, )( (
)
-
(
)(
)) = (m, ) for all(
)
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(m, )( ()-
( )) = (m, )()-
for all ( )H
(m, )
(
)
-
(
)= (m, )
(
)
- for all
(
)
(m, )()- Fix(H)
(m, )Fix(H)().
Now let
()
NormG(H) = {()
G|()
-
() = }.
Then
Fix(H) =Fix( ()-
() ) =Fix(H)()showing that the action restricts to an action ofNormG(H) onFix(H). Now to show thatthe action ofNormG(H) onFix(H) = ZNZN is (|ZN|+1)-transitive, label the elements
of ZN as (m1, 1), ..., (mN, N) and label (0, ) = (mN+1, N+1). Let(m*1, *1), ..., (m
*N+1,
*N+1) be any |ZN|+1 distinct points ofFix(H). It is enough to show
that there exists
()NormG(H)
such that
(m*
i, *
i)() = (m
i, i) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Now there exists
()G
such that
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(m*i, *i)() = (mi, i) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Hence
(m*i, *i) = (mi, i)()
- for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Note that for every
( )H
and for i = 1, ...,N+1:
(mi, i)(()-
( )() )= (mi, i)()
- ( )()
= (m*i, *i)( )()
= (m*i, *i)()
= (mi, i).
Hence
()-
( )()Hfor all ( ) ()NormG(H).
23. LEMMA.There exists a Steiner system S(N+1, 2N, 6N), where the points are theelements of the set ZN]S3 and the set of blocks is
{Fix(H)()| ()G}.
PROOF: There are 6N= |ZN]S3| points. Each block, for a fixed
(
)
G
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A NEW PROOF OF THE FOUR COLOUR THEOREM 31
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contains
2N= |ZNZ
N| = |Fix(H)| =
|Fix(H)
(
) |
points. Label the elements of ZNas (m1, 1), ..., (mN, N) and label (0, ) = (mN+1, N+1).Let (m*1,
*1), ..., (m
*N+1,
*N+1) be any |ZN|+1 distinct points of ZN]S3. Then there exists
()G
such that
(mi, i)() = (m*i, *i) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Hence, there is at least one block, namely Fix(H), that contains the points(m*1,
*1), ..., (m
*N+1,
*N+1). It remains to show that this is the unique block that contains
the points (m*1, *1), ..., (m
*N+1,
*N+1). Suppose (m
*1,
*1), ..., (m
*N+1,
*N+1) are
contained in
Fix(H)
(
)
for some
(
)G.
Then there exist points (m**1, **
1), ..., (m**
N+1, **
N+1) inFix(H) such that
(m*i, *i) = (m
**i,
**i)( ) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
By lemma 22, there exists
( )NormG(H)
such that
(m**i, **
i) = (mi, i)( ) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Hence for i = 1, ...,N+1
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A NEW PROOF OF THE FOUR COLOUR THEOREM 32
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(mi, i)()= (m*i,
*i)
= (m**i, **
i)( )= (mi, i)( )( )(mi, i) = (mi, i)(( )( )()
-
) for i = 1, ...,N+1.
Then by lemma 17
(mi, i) = (mi, i)( ( )( ) ()-
) for i = 1, ...,
and
(mN+1, N+1) = (mN+1, N+1)(( )( )()-
).
Hence
( )( )()- H.
NowHis a subgroup ofNormG(H)
(
)(
)(
)
- NormG(H)
( )()-1( )
- ormG(H) =NormG(H)
( ( )()-1
) ( ( )()-1
)-1
=
( )()-1
()( )-1
=
(
)
-
(
)=
(
)
-
(
).
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A NEW PROOF OF THE FOUR COLOUR THEOREM 33
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Now, using the first fact in the proof of lemma 22
Fix(H)
(
)
=Fix(( )-
( ) )=Fix(()
-
())=Fix(H)().
This establishes the uniqueness of the block.
24. THEOREM.Any map on the sphere can be properly coloured by using at most fourcolours.
PROOF: Referring to section I, we have defined Nto be the minimal number of colours
required to properly colour any map from the class of all maps on the sphere. Based on
the definition ofN, we have selected a specific map m(N) on the sphere which requires
no fewer than N colours to be properly coloured. Based on the definition of the map
m(N) we have selected a proper colouring of its regions using theNcolours 0, 1, ...,N-1.
Working with the fixed number N, the fixed map m(N), and the fixed proper colouring
of the regions of the map m(N), lemma 23 has explicitly constructed a Steiner system
S(N+1, 2N,6N). Now lemma 3 implies thatNcannot exceed four.
REFERENCES
WEBSITES
1. Canadian Mathematical Society- A New Proof of The Four Colour Theoremby Ashay Dharwadker, Knot No.221, Knot a Braid of Links, 5 October 2000.http://www.cms.math.ca/cgi/kabol/browse.pl?Number=221
2. The Math Forum- A New Proof of The Four Colour Theorem by AshayDharwadker, Internet Mathematics Library, Group Theory and Graph Theory,
2000. http://mathforum.org/library/view/16622.html
3. Tlvunot Frttahorn- N snnun setningunni um fjra liti, AshayDharwadker, 2000. http://www.tolvunot.is/adal.Frettahorn.htm
4. Four Color Theorem: A Brief Historical InsightAn essay by DominicVerderaime, 2005. http://student.adams.edu/~verderaimedj/finalEssay/
5. Il Teorema dei Quattro Colori e la Teoria dei Grafi- An article by Anita Pasotti,2007. http://www.matematicamente.it/magazine/ottobre2007/Numero04.pdf
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A NEW PROOF OF THE FOUR COLOUR THEOREM 34
6. Yahoo! Famous Mathematics Problems- A New Proof of The Four ColourTheorem by Ashay Dharwadker, 2000.http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Mathematics/Problems__Puzzles__and_Games/Famous_Problems/Four_Color_Theorem/
7. The Witt Design- The Steiner system S(5,8,24) explicitly computed by AshayDharwadker, 2002. http://www.geocities.com/dharwadker/witt.html
8. Common Systems of Coset Representatives- Proof of existence of common
systems of representatives for the left and right cosets of a finite subgroup of a
group by Ashay Dharwadker, 2005. http://www.geocities.com/dharwadker/coset.html
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12. ROTMAN, J.J. An Introduction to the Theory of Groups, Springer-Verlag, 1995.
13. VAN LINT, J.H. & WILSON, R.M. A Course in Combinatorics, Cambridge
University Press, 1992.
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16. DHARWADKER, A. & SMITH, J.D.H. Split Extensions and Representations of
Moufang Loops, Comm. in Alg.23(11),4245-4255, 1995.
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20. RIEMANN, G.F.B. Grundlagen fr eine allgemeine Theorie der Funktionen
einer vernderlichen complexen Grsse, 1851, Reprinted in Gesammelte
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23.NIEUWOUDT, I.On the Maximum Degree Chromatic Number of a Graph,
Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
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24. DHARWADKER, A. & PIRZADA, S. Applications of Graph Theory,Journal
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http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Mathematics/Problems__Puzzles__and_Games/Famous_Problems/Four_Color_Theorem/http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Mathematics/Problems__Puzzles__and_Games/Famous_Problems/Four_Color_Theorem/http://www.dharwadker.org/witt.htmlhttp://www.dharwadker.org/witt.htmlhttp://www.dharwadker.org/coset.htmlhttp://www.dharwadker.org/coset.htmlhttp://www.eg-models.de/models/Surfaces/Riemann_Surfaces/2002.05.001/_preview.htmlhttp://www.eg-models.de/models/Surfaces/Riemann_Surfaces/2002.05.001/_preview.htmlhttp://dip.sun.ac.za/~vuuren/Theses/Nieuwoudt.pdfhttp://dip.sun.ac.za/~vuuren/Theses/Nieuwoudt.pdfhttp://dip.sun.ac.za/~vuuren/Theses/Nieuwoudt.pdfhttp://www.dharwadker.org/pirzada/applications/http://www.dharwadker.org/pirzada/applications/http://www.dharwadker.org/pirzada/applications/http://dip.sun.ac.za/~vuuren/Theses/Nieuwoudt.pdfhttp://www.eg-models.de/models/Surfaces/Riemann_Surfaces/2002.05.001/_preview.htmlhttp://www.dharwadker.org/coset.htmlhttp://www.dharwadker.org/witt.htmlhttp://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Mathematics/Problems__Puzzles__and_Games/Famous_Problems/Four_Color_Theorem/