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Theorem

Mantel's Theorem

Combinatorics and Graph Theory

Mantel's Theorem states that a triangle-free graph on n vertices has at most floor of n squared over four edges, a bound achieved exactly by the complete bipartite graph that splits the vertices into two halves as evenly as possible. Named for Willem Mantel, it is the earliest and simplest case of extremal graph theory's general study of how many edges a graph can have while avoiding a forbidden subgraph, later generalized by Turan's Theorem.

Facts
Statement
The maximum number of edges in a triangle-free graph on n vertices is the floor of n squared over four. 1
Proof Year
1907 1
Classification
Statement Form
Inequality 1
Connections

Has Statement Form

Inequality, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

In Branch

Source Turan's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Mantel's theorem - Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    The maximum number of edges in an n-vertex triangle-free graph is floor of n squared over 4.
  • Lead section, second sentence
    it was stated in 1907 by Willem Mantel, a Dutch mathematician.
View the Source
Turan's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIn Branch: Graph Theory, Lead sentenceView the Source
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