An elementary proof of the total progeny size of a birth-death process, with application to network component sizes

Abstract

We revisit the size distribution of finite components in infinite Configuration Model networks. We provide an elementary combinatorial proof about the sizes of birth-death trees which is more intuitive than previous proofs. We use this to rederive the component size distribution for Configuration Model networks. Our derivation provides a more intuitive interpretation of the formula as contrasted with the previous derivation based on contour integrations. We demonstrate that the formula performs well, even on networks with heavy tails which violate assumptions of the derivation. We explain why the result should remain robust for these networks.