Polynomial-time algorithm for maximum weight independent set on P₆-free graphs

Abstract: In the classic Maximum Weight Independent Set problem we are given a graph

G

with a nonnegative weight function on vertices, and the goal is to find an independent set in

G

of maximum possible weight. While the problem is NP-hard in general, we give a polynomial-time algorithm working on any

P_{6}

-free graph, that is, a graph that has no path on

6

vertices as an induced subgraph. This improves the polynomial-time algorithm on

P_{5}

-free graphs of Lokshtanov et al. (SODA 2014), and the quasipolynomial-time algorithm on

P_{6}

-free graphs of Lokshtanov et al (SODA 2016). The main technical contribution leading to our main result is enumeration of a polynomial-size family

m a t h c a l F

of vertex subsets with the following property: for every maximal independent set

I

in the graph,

m a t h c a l F

contains all maximal cliques of some minimal chordal completion of

G

that does not add any edge incident to a vertex of

I

.

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