Column generation approach to the convex recoloring problem on a tree

Abstract

The convex recoloring (CR) problem is to recolor the nodes of a colored graph at minimum number of color changes such that each color induces a connected subgraph. We adjust to the convex recoloring problem the column generation framework developed by Johnson et al. (Math Program 62:133–151, 1993). For the convex recoloring problem on a tree, the subproblem to generate columns can be solved in polynomial time by a dynamic programming algorithm. The column generation framework solves the convex recoloring problem on a tree with a large number of colors extremely fast.