Why it matters

Max clique is classic NP-hard. Understanding shapes optimization approach.

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The architecture

Bron-Kerbosch: recursive enumeration.

Pivot for efficiency.

Special classes polynomial.

Max clique approachesBron-Kerboschrecursive enumWith pivotprune branchesSpecial classespolynomial casesBron-Kerbosch with pivot works well in practice on sparse graphs
Max clique.
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How it works end to end

BK: R, P, X sets. Recurse per vertex in P.

Pivot: vertex with most neighbors in P.

Perfect graphs: polynomial.