The Maximum Number of Paths of Length Three in a Planar Graph

Abstract

Let $f(n,H)$ denote the maximum number of copies of $H$ possible in an $n$-vertex planar graph. The function $f(n,H)$ has been determined when $H$ is a cycle of length $3$ or $4$ by Hakimi and Schmeichel and when $H$ is a complete bipartite graph with smaller part of size 1 or 2 by Alon and Caro. We determine $f(n,H)$ exactly in the case when $H$ is a path of length 3.