Distributed CONGEST Approximation of Weighted Vertex Covers and Matchings

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Abstract: We provide CONGEST model algorithms for approximating minimum weighted vertex cover and the maximum weighted matching. For bipartite graphs, we show that a (1+varepsilon)-approximate weighted vertex cover can be computed deterministically in polylogarithmic time. This generalizes a corresponding result for the unweighted vertex cover problem shown in [Faour, Kuhn; OPODIS '20]. Moreover, we show that in general weighted graph families that are closed under taking subgraphs and in which we can compute an independent set of weight at least a lambda-fraction of the total weight, one can compute a (2−2lambda+varepsilon)-approximate weighted vertex cover in polylogarithmic time in the CONGEST model. Our result in particular implies that in graphs of arboricity a, one can compute a (2−1/a+varepsilon)-approximate weighted vertex cover. For maximum weighted matchings, we show that a (1−varepsilon)-approximate solution can be computed deterministically in polylogarithmic CONGEST rounds (for constant varepsilon). We also provide a more efficient randomized algorithm. Our algorithm generalizes results of [Lotker, Patt-Shamir, Pettie; SPAA '08] and [Bar-Yehuda, Hillel, Ghaffari, Schwartzman; PODC '17] for the unweighted case. Finally, we show that even in the LOCAL model and in bipartite graphs of degree leq3, if varepsilon<varepsilon0 for some constant varepsilon0>0, then computing a (1+varepsilon)-approximation for the unweighted minimum vertex cover problem requires rounds. This generalizes aresult of [G"o"os, Suomela; DISC '12], who showed that computing a (1+varepsilon0)-approximation in such graphs requires Omega(logn) rounds.













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