On the Number of Hamiltonian Cycles in Bipartite Graphs

Abstract

We prove that a bipartite uniquely Hamiltonian graph has a vertex of degree 2 in each color class. As consequences, every bipartite Hamiltonian graph of minimum degree d has at least 2 1−d d! Hamiltonian cycles, and every bipartite Hamiltonian graph of minimum degree at least 4 and girth g has at least (3/2) g/8 Hamiltonian cycles. We indicate how the existence of more than one Hamiltonian cycle may lead to a general reduction method for Hamiltonian graphs.