Expected Computation Time for Hamiltonian Path Problem

  • Yuri Gurevich ,
  • Saharon Shelah

Journal on Computing | , Vol 16(3): pp. 486-502

Let G(n,p) be a random graph with n vertices and the edge probability p. We give an algorithm for Hamiltonian Path Problem whose expected run-time on G(n,p) is cn/p + o(n) for any fixed p. This is the best possible result for the case of fixed p. The expected run-time of a slighty modified version of the algorithm remains polynomial if p = p(n) > n-c where c is positive and small.

The paper is based on a 1984 technical report.