Are 8-transitive graphs impossible to exist in graph theory?

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In summary, The article "The nonexistence of 8-transitive graphs" by Richard Weiss explains that there are no graphs that are 8-transitive, meaning that an automorphism cannot map an 8-arc to another 8-arc in these graphs. This is because it is impossible for an automorphism to map an 8-vertex path to another 8-vertex path in a graph.
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Homework Statement


This is a graph theory question.

I am confused about the title of the article "The nonexistence of 8-transitive graphs" by Richard Weiss (just search for it).

My graph theory book says that cycles are s-arc-transitive for all s, and that made sense to me because you can always find an automorphism that maps an s-arc to another s-arc in a cycle just by rotation.

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The article "The nonexistence of 8-transitive graphs" by Richard Weiss states that there are no 8-transitive graphs. This means that there is no graph where an automorphism can map an 8-arc to another 8-arc.This makes sense because an 8-arc is essentially an 8-vertex path, and it is impossible for an automorphism to map an 8-vertex path to another 8-vertex path in a graph, since the two paths will not have the same length or orientation. Therefore, 8-transitive graphs do not exist.
 

Related to Are 8-transitive graphs impossible to exist in graph theory?

1. What is arc-transitivity in physics?

Arc-transitivity in physics refers to the property of a physical system or phenomenon being symmetric under the action of a continuous group of transformations. This means that the system or phenomenon remains unchanged when certain transformations, such as rotations or translations, are applied to it.

2. How is arc-transitivity related to symmetry in physics?

Arc-transitivity is a type of symmetry in physics. It describes the symmetry of a system or phenomenon under specific transformations, rather than the overall symmetry of the system. It is a more specific and precise measure of symmetry in physical systems.

3. Can you give an example of arc-transitivity in physics?

One example of arc-transitivity in physics is in the study of crystal structures. A crystal lattice is arc-transitive if it can be transformed into itself by a continuous group of symmetry operations, such as rotations and translations. This means that the physical properties of the crystal will remain the same when these transformations are applied.

4. How does arc-transitivity impact the behavior of physical systems?

Arc-transitivity plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of physical systems. It provides insight into the symmetries present in a system and how they affect its properties and behavior. In many cases, arc-transitivity can be used to simplify complex physical systems and make them easier to analyze and understand.

5. Are there any practical applications of studying arc-transitivity in physics?

Yes, there are many practical applications of studying arc-transitivity in physics. For example, understanding the arc-transitivity of crystals is important in materials science and engineering, as it can help in designing new materials with specific properties. In physics, arc-transitivity is also used to study the behavior of particles and molecules, and in the development of new theories and models to explain physical phenomena.

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