Maximum independent sets on random regular graphs

Abstract

We determine the asymptotics of the independence number of the random d-regular graph for all d≥ d0. It is highly concentrated, with constant-order fluctuations around nα∗- c∗log n for explicit constants α∗(d) and c∗(d). Our proof rigorously confirms the one-step replica symmetry breaking heuristics for this problem, and we believe the techniques will be more broadly applicable to the study of other combinatorial properties of random graphs.