The Generalized RS-theorem

Abstract

Eigenvalues of a graph are the eigenvalues of the corresponding (0,1)-adjacency matrix. The second largest eigenvalue lambda_2 provides significant information on characteristics and structure of graphs. Therefore, finding bounds for lambda_2 is a topic of interest in many fields. So far we have studied the graphs with the property lambda_2 is less or equal to 2, so-called reflexive graphs. The original RS-theorem is about them. In this paper we generalize that concept and introduce the arbitrary bounds. The Generalized RS-theorem gives us an answer whether the second largest eigenvalue of a graph is greater than, less than, or equal to a, a>0, within some classes of connected graphs with a cut-vertex. After removing the cut-vertex u of the given graph G, we examine the indices of the components of G-u. The information on these indices is used to make conclusions about the second largest eigenvalue of the graph G. In the RS-theorem a=2. Here, we state and prove the Generalized RS-theorem, one corollary, and, also, give some useful lemmas.