<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">JAMP</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2327-4352</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/jamp.2023.1111215</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">JAMP-128918</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Physics&amp;Mathematics</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  The Minimum Hosoya Index of a Kind of Tetracyclic Graph
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Xueji</surname><given-names>Jiu</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sub>1</sub></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><label>1</label><addr-line>School of Mathematics and Statistics, Qinghai Nationalities University, Xining, China</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>03</day><month>11</month><year>2023</year></pub-date><volume>11</volume><issue>11</issue><fpage>3366</fpage><lpage>3376</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>14,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2023</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>5,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2023</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>8,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2023</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p><html>
 <head></head>
 
  Let 
  <img src="Edit_efc2b355-5d9d-4949-911e-22be2bfc8e5b.bmp" alt="" />be a graph with 
  <em>n</em> vertices and 
  <em>m</em> edges. The sum of absolute value of all coefficients of matching polynomial is called Hosoya index. In this paper, we determine 2
  <sup>nd</sup> to 4
  <sup>th</sup> minimum Hosoya index of a kind of tetracyclic graph, with 
  <em>m</em> = 
  <em>n</em> +3.
 
</html></p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Matching Polynomial</kwd><kwd> Hosoya Index</kwd><kwd> Tetracyclic Graph</kwd><kwd> Extremal Graph</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>The total number of matchings of agraph is a graphic invariant which is important in structural chemistry. In the chemistry literature this graphic invariant is called the Hosoya index of a molecular graph. It was applied to correlations with boiling points, entropies, calculated bond orders, as well as for coding of chemical structures [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref3">3</xref>] . Therefore, the ordering of molecular graphs in terms of their Hosoya indices is of interest in chemical thermodynamics. Let G = ( V ( G ) , E ( G ) ) be a graph with vertex V ( G ) = { v 1 , v 2 , ⋯ , v n } and edge set E ( G ) = { e 1 , e 2 , ⋯ , e n } .</p><p>The matching polynomial of G is defined as</p><p>μ ( G , x ) = ∑ k ≥ 0 ( − 1 ) k m ( G , k ) x n − 2 k ,</p><p>where m ( G , k ) the number of its k-matchings. It is convenient to denote m ( G ,0 ) = 1 and m ( G , k ) = 0 for k &gt; [ n / 2 ] . Its theory is well elaborated [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref5">5</xref>] . The Hosoya index of G, denoted by Z ( G ) , is defined as the sum of all the numbers of its matchings, namely</p><p>Z ( G ) = ∑ k ≥ 0     m ( G , k ) .</p><p>Let G n , m be the collection of connected simple graphs of order n and size m. Checking the structure of G in G n , m , it is easy to see that if m = n − 1 , n , n + 1 , n + 2 , n + 3 , ⋯ , n 2 − n , then G contains at least m − n + 1 cycles. And these graphs is called unicyclic graphs, bicyclic graphs, tricyclic graphs, tetracyclic graphs, ⋯ , respectively. Liu et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref6">6</xref>] determined the tetracyclic graphs has at least 4 cycles andat most 15 cycles but has no 9 cycles.</p><p>The first chemical application of Z ( G ) was proposed in 1971 by a chemist Hosoya, which was used to describe the thermodynamic properties of saturated hydrocarbons. Wanger and Gutman [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref7">7</xref>] gave a summary of the Hosoya index of graphs. Hosoya index conducted important research on the progress of its research. And Wanger [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref1">1</xref>] proved among all n-vertex, the path P<sub>n</sub> has the maximum Hosoya index and the star S<sub>n</sub> has the minimum Hosoya index. Ou [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref8">8</xref>] and [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref9">9</xref>] studied the unicyclic has the maximum and minimum Hosoya index. Deng [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref10">10</xref>] and [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref11">11</xref>] studied the bicyclic has the maximum and minimum Hosoya index. Huang et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref12">12</xref>] give sharp bounds on the Hosoya index for connected graphs of fixed size. Liu et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref13">13</xref>] determined the maximum Hosoya index of unicyclic graphs with n vertices and diameter 3 or 4. Their results somewhat answer a question proposed by Wagner and Gutman. In 2010 for unicyclic graphs with small diameter. Liu et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref14">14</xref>] determined the maximum Hosoya index of tricyclic graphs and the correspond-ing extremal graphs. Li et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref15">15</xref>] determined the minimum Hosoya index of tricyclic graphs and the corresponding extremal graphs.</p><p>In this paper, we are organized as follows. In Section 1, we present some preliminaries and list of some previously known results about Hosoya indices of graphs. In Section 1, we determine the second fourth Hosoya indices of a kind of tetracyclic graph. In final section, we give a brief summary of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Preliminaries</title><p>In this section, we introduced some notations and definitions form traditional graph theory, not described here, we refer to [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref16">16</xref>] . We present some definitions and lemmas to prove the main results later.</p><p>Let G = ( V ( G ) , E ( G ) ) be a simple connected graph with vertex set V ( G ) = { v 1 , v 2 , ⋯ , v n } and edge set E ( G ) = { e 1 , e 2 , ⋯ , e n } . Let G n , m be the collection of connected simple graphs of order n and size m. Checking the structure of G in G n , m , it is easy to see that if m = n − 1, n , n + 1, n + 2, n + 3, ⋯ , n 2 − n , then G contains at least m − n + 1 cycles. And these graphs is called unicyclic graphs, bicyclic graphs, tricyclic graphs, tetracyclic graphs, ⋯ . If W ⊂ V ( G ) , we denote by G − W the subgraph of G obtained by deleting the vertices of W and the edges incident with them. Similarly, if E ⊂ E ( G ) , we denote by G − E the subgraph of G obtained by deleting the edges of E. If W = { v } and E = { x y } , we write G − v and G − x y instead of G − { v } and G − { x y } , respectively. Denote the neighborhood of v ∈ V ( G ) by N ( v ) = N G ( v ) ; and let N [ v ] = N ( v ) ∪ { v } . d G ( v ) = | N G ( v ) | is vertex v of degree in G. Through out the paper we denote by P n , C n , F n , T n , S n the n-vertex graph equals to the path, cycle, forest, tree, star, let S n + be the graph obtained by two vertex attaching to two pedant vertex in S n , respectively. For two connected graphs G 1 , G 2 with V ( G 1 ) ∩ V ( G 2 ) = { v } , let G = G 1 v G 2 be a graph defined by V ( G ) = V ( G 1 ) ∪ V ( G 2 ) , V ( G 1 ) ∩ V ( G 2 ) = { v } , E ( G ) = E ( G 1 ) ∪ E ( G 2 ) .</p><p>In the following we introduce some graph transformation which does not increase the Hosoya index of a graph.</p><p>Lemma 2.1. ( [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref14">14</xref>] ) The Hosoya index of a graph satisfies the following identities:</p><p>(i) If v ∈ V ( G ) . Then</p><p>Z ( G ) = Z ( G − v ) + ∑ u ∈ N G ( v ) Z ( G − u − v ) .</p><p>(ii) If u v ∈ E ( G ) . Then</p><p>Z ( G ) = Z ( G − u v ) + Z ( G − u − v ) .</p><p>(iii) If G 1 , G 2 , ⋯ , G k are the connected components of a graph G. Then</p><p>Z ( G ) = ∏ i = 1 k     Z ( G i ) .</p><p>Definition 2.1. Suppose that u v ∈ E ( G ) , N G ( u ) = { v , w 1 , w 2 , ⋯ , w s } , where d ( w i ) = 1 ( 1 ≤ i ≤ s ) . Let G * = G − { u w 1 , u w 2 , ⋯ , u w s } + { v w 1 , v w 2 , ⋯ , v w s } as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>. We designate the transformation from G to G i * ( i = 1,2 ) in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref> as of type I.</p><p>Lemma 2.2. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref10">10</xref>] Let G and G * be two graphs with n vertices defined in Definition 2.1. Then Z ( G ) &gt; Z ( G * ) .</p><p>Definition 2.2. Let H, X and Y be three connected graphs. Suppose that u, v are two vertices of H, v' is a vertex of X, u' is a vertex of Y. Let G be the graph obtained from H, X, Y by identifying v with v' and u with u', respectively. Let G 1 * be the graph obtained from H, X and Y by identifying vertices v, v' and u', and let G 2 * be the graph obtained from H, X and Y by identifying vertices u, v' and u', see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>. We designate the transformation from G to G i * ( i = 1,2 ) in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref> as of type II.</p><p>Lemma 2.3. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref18">18</xref>] Let G 1 * and G 2 * be three graphs with n vertices defined in Definition 2.2. Then Z ( G ) &gt; Z ( G 1 * ) or Z ( G ) &gt; Z ( G 2 * ) .</p><p>Definition 2.3. Let G<sub>0</sub> be a non-trivial connected graph and u 0 ∈ V ( G 0 ) . Assume that H ≅ C 3 and u , v ∈ V ( H ) . Suppose that G = ( G 0 ⊳ u 0 = u ⊲ H ) .</p><p>Suppose that T is a star tree of order n, whose center vertex is w. If G 1 = ( G ⊳ u = w ⊲ T ) , G 2 = G ⊳ v = w ⊲ T , we designate the transformation from G<sub>1</sub> to G<sub>2</sub> in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> as of type III.</p><p>Lemma 2.4. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref17">17</xref>] Let G<sub>1</sub> and G<sub>2</sub> be three graphs with n vertices defined in Definition 2.3. Then Z ( G 1 ) &lt; Z ( G 2 ) .</p><p>Definition 2.4. Let G be a graph with k vertices, and let P k = x 1 , x 2 , ⋯ , x k ( k ≥ 3 ) be a path in d G ( x i ) = 2 ( i = 1 , 2 , ⋯ , k − 1 ) . Let G * be a graph of order n is obtained from G by deleting x 2 x 3 and adding x 1 x 3 , see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>. We designate the transformation from G to G * in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref> as of type IV.</p><p>Lemma 2.5. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref18">18</xref>] Let G and G * be two graphs with n vertices defined in Definition 2.4. Then Z ( G ) &gt; Z ( G * ) .</p><p>Lemma 2.6. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref19">19</xref>] Let G be a graph, and let u , v ∈ V ( G ) . Suppose that G s , t be a graph obtained from G by attaching s , t pendant vertices to v and u, respectively. Then</p><p>Z ( G s + i , t − i ) &lt; Z ( G s , t ) , 1 ≤ i ≤ t ; Z ( G s − i , t + i ) &lt; Z ( G s , t ) , 1 ≤ i ≤ s .</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. The Minimum Hosoya Index of a Kind of Tetracyclic Graph</title><p>Pan [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref20">20</xref>] determined the minimum Hosoya index among all graphs of n vertices</p><p>and m edges, where n + 3 ≤ m ≤ 2 n − 3 . In the paper, we characterize the 2<sup>nd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> minimum Hosoya index of a kind of tetracyclic Graph, with m = n + 3 .</p><p>The following a kind of tetracyclic graphs and extremal graph defined as follows:</p><p>- p , q , m , l ≥ 1, r ≥ 0 , let F n n + 3 ( p , q , r , m , l ) be the graph consisting of two given vertices joined by five disjoint paths whose order are p , q , r , m , l , respectively, where p , q , r , m , l ≥ 0 and most one of them is 0. The resulting graph can be seen in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>.</p><p>- n ≥ 7 , Let F n + 3 * ( 1,1,0,1,1, n − 6 ) be the graph obtained by adding n − 6 pendent vertices to one of two vertices of degree 4 in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>.</p><p>Theorem 3.1. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.128918-ref20">20</xref>] Let G ∈ F n n + 3 be a tetracyclic graph with n ( n ≥ 7 ) vertices. Z ( G ) ≥ Z ( F n + 3 * ( 1 , 1 , 0 , 1 , 1 , n − 6 ) ) = 5 n − 8 .</p>We Determine 2<sup>nd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> Minimum Hosoya Index of a Kind of Tetracyclic Graph<p>By Theorem 3.1 and Lemmas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5, we can obtain a fact as follows. Let G ∈ { F n n + 3 − F n + 3 * ( 1,1,0,1,1, n − 6 ) } with n vertices. By repeated applications of transformations I, II, III and IV presented in Definitions 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4, respectively. We can transform G into F n + 3 * ( 1,1,0,1,1, n − 6 ) . That is, there exist graphs G ( i ) for 0 ≤ i ≤ l such that</p><p>G = G 0 ↪ G 1 ↪ G 2 ↪ ⋯ ↪ G l − 1 ↪ G l = F n + 3 * ( 1,1,0,1,1, n − 6 ) , (1)</p><p>where G ( l − 1 ) ≠ F n + 3 * ( 1,1,0,1,1, n − 6 ) . This implies that G ( l − 1 ) has six possible structures, see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>.</p><p>Lemma 3.1. Let A 1 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 6 vertices. If n ≥ 8, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 1 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 1 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 6 n − 15 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 ( s , t ) ≅ A 1 ( 1, n − 7 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 1 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) = Z ( A 1 ( n − 7 , 1 ) ) = 6 n − 15 , Z ( A 1 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 ( 2 , n − 8 ) ) = Z ( A 1 ( n − 8 , 2 ) ) = 7 n − 24 . So Z ( A 1 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) = Z ( A 1 ( n − 7 , 1 ) ) = 6 n − 15 .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.2. Let A 2 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 6 vertices. If</p><p>n ≥ 8, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 2 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 9 n − 27 , where the equality</p><p>holds if and only if A 2 ( s , t ) ≅ A 2 ( n − 7,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 2 ( n − 7,1 ) ) = 9 n − 27 or Z ( A 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 2 ( 1, n − 7 ) ) = 17 n − 92 . So Z ( A 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 2 ( n − 7 , 1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.3. Let A 6 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 7 vertices. If n ≥ 9, s ≥ 0, t ≥ 1 , in A 6 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 17 n − 33 , where the equality holds if and only if A 6 ( s , t ) ≅ A 6 ( n − 8,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 6 ( n − 8,1 ) ) = 17 n − 33 or Z ( A 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 6 ( 0, n − 7 ) ) = 18 n − 99 . So Z ( A 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 6 ( 0 , n − 7 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 6 ( n − 8 , 1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Theorem 3.2. Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 7 vertices. Then Z ( G ) ≥ 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 , where the equality holds if and only if G ≅ A 1 ( 1, n − 7 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 3 ( n − 6 ) ) = 12 n − 61 , Z ( A 4 ( n − 7 ) ) = 6 n − 11 and Z ( A 5 ( n − 7 ) ) = 6 n − 10 . Combing Theorem 3.1, Lemmas 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, (1) and arguments as above, we get that Z ( G ) ≥ 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .&#168;</p><p>Now we characterize the extremal graphs with the third minimal Hosoya index in F n n + 3 By (1), we know that the extremal graphs with the third minimal Hosoya index will be yielded in G ( l − 1 ) or G ( l − 2 ) . By the reverse operations of I, II, III and IV, we determine the structures of graphs A 1 ( s , t ) , A 4 ( n − 7 ) and A 5 ( n − 7 ) in G ( l − 2 ) . And we also determine the lower bounds of Hosoya indices of these graphs.</p><p>By the reverse operations of I, II, III and IV, we can obtain that the structures of graphs A 1 ( s , t ) in G ( l − 2 ) is isomorphic to one of graphs A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) , A 1 2 ( s , t ) A 1 3 ( s , t ) , A 1 4 ( s , t ) and A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) , see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>.</p><p>Lemma 3.4. Let A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) be a graph with n = s + t + u + 6 vertices. If n ≥ 9, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 and u ≥ 1 . Then Z ( A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ 11 n − 40 , where the equality</p><p>holds if and only if A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) ≅ A 1 1 ( 1, n − 8,1 ) or A 1 1 ( n − 8,1,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. Assume that two of s,t and u are equal to 1 in A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) . By Lemma 2.6, Z ( A 1 1 ( 1, n − 8,1 ) ) = 11 n − 40 , Z ( A 1 1 ( n − 8,1,1 ) ) = 11 n − 40 , Z ( A 1 1 ( 1,1, n − 8 ) ) = 22 n − 143 .</p><p>Assume that at most one of s,t and u are equal to 1 in A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) . By Lemma 2.6, we get that Z ( A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) ) = 5 n + 10 u + s t + 4 t u + 3 s u + s t u − 30 = s ( 3 u − 6 ) + ( 4 u − 6 ) t + ( s t + 4 ) u + s t − 30 . Suppose that f ( s , t , u ) = 5 n + 10 u + s t + 4 t u + 3 s u + s t u − 30 − 11 n + 40 = s ( 3 u − 6 ) + ( 4 u − 6 ) t + ( s t + 4 ) u + s t + 28 . If s = 1 , u ≥ 2 and t ≥ 2 , then f ( s , t , u ) = t ( 5 u − 5 ) + 7 u + 28 &gt; 0 . If u = 1 , t ≥ 2 and s ≥ 2 , then f ( s , t , u ) = s ( 2 t − 3 ) + 2 t + 32 &gt; 0 . If t = 1 , s ≥ 2 and u ≥ 2 , then f ( s , t , u ) = s ( 4 u − 5 ) + 8 u + 22 &gt; 0 . By arguments as above, we have Z ( A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ 11 n − 40 . where the equality holds if and only if A 1 1 ( s , t , u ) ≅ A 1 1 ( 1, n − 8,1 ) or A 1 1 ( n − 8,1,1 ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.5. Let A 1 3 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 7 vertices. If n ≥ 8, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 1 3 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 1 3 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 10 n − 40 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 3 ( s , t ) ≅ A 1 3 ( 1, n − 8 ) or A 1 3 ( n − 8,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 1 3 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 3 ( n − 8 , 1 ) ) = 10 n − 40 or Z ( A 1 3 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 3 ( 1, n − 8 ) ) = 10 n − 40 . So Z ( A 1 3 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 10 n − 40 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 3 ( s , t ) ≅ A 1 3 ( 1, n − 8 ) or A 1 3 ( n − 8,1 ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.6. Let A 1 4 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 7 vertices. If n ≥ 8, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 1 4 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 1 4 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 7 n − 19 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 4 ( s , t ) ≅ A 1 4 ( 1, n − 8 ) or A 1 4 ( n − 8,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 1 4 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 4 ( n − 8,1 ) ) = 7 n − 19 or Z ( A 1 4 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 4 ( 1, n − 8 ) ) = 7 n − 19 . So Z ( A 1 4 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 7 n − 19 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 4 ( s , t ) ≅ A 1 4 ( 1, n − 8 ) or A 1 4 ( n − 8,1 ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.7. Let A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) be a graph with n = s + t + u + 7 vertices. If n ≥ 10, s ≥ 0, t ≥ 0 and u ≥ 0 . then Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ 9 n − 27 , where the equality holds if and only if A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ≅ A 1 5 ( 1, n − 7,0 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, firstly, s ≥ 0, t ≥ 0, u ≥ 0 , we need to discuss the following two cases: assume that at most one of s,t and u are equal to 1 in A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) , has three subcases:</p><p>(I) If s = 0 , t = 1 or u = 1 ,</p><p>(i) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 0,1, n − 8 ) ) = 22 n − 179 ,</p><p>(ii) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 0, n − 8,1 ) ) = 19 n − 117 .</p><p>(II) If u = 0 , t = 1 or s = 1 , has two subcases:</p><p>(i) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 0,1, n − 7 ) ) = 6 n − 15 ,</p><p>(ii) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( n − 8,0,1 ) ) = 6 n − 15 .</p><p>(III) If t = 0 , s = 1 or u = 1 , has two subcases:</p><p>(i) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 1,0, n − 8 ) ) = 18 n − 56 ,</p><p>(ii) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( n − 8,0,1 ) ) = 17 n − 33 .</p><p>Assume that two of s,t and u are equal to 1 in A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) , has three subcases:</p><p>(i) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 1,1, n − 9 ) ) = 26 n − 186 ,</p><p>(ii) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( 1, n − 9,1 ) ) = 27 n − 159 .</p><p>(iii) Z ( A 1 5 ( s , t , u ) ) ≥ Z ( A 1 5 ( n − 9,1,1 ) ) = 21 n − 156 .&#168;</p><p>Theorem 3.3. Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 7 vertices. Then Z ( G ) ≥ 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 1 2 ( s , t ) ) = Z ( A 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 2 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) = 9 n − 27 , Combing Theorem 3.1, 3.2, Lemmas 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, (1) and arguments as above, we get that Z ( G ) ≥ 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .&#168;</p><p>Similary, by repeated applications of transformations I, II, III and IV, we are considering A 3 ( n − 7 ) . This implies that G ( l − 2 ) has six possible structures, see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>.</p><p>Lemma 3.8. Let A 3 2 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 7 vertices. If</p><p>n ≥ 9, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 3 2 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 3 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 11 n − 45 , where the equality</p><p>holds if and only if A 3 2 ( s , t ) ≅ A 3 2 ( n − 8,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 3 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 2 ( n − 8,1 ) ) = 11 n − 45 or Z ( A 3 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 2 ( 1 , n − 8 ) ) = 14 n − 75 . So Z ( A 3 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 2 ( 1 , n − 8 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 3 2 ( n − 8 , 1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.9. Let A 3 6 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 8 vertices. If n ≥ 10, s ≥ 0, t ≥ 1 , in A 3 6 ( s , t ) . Then A 3 6 ( s , t ) ≥ 9 n − 30 , where the equality holds if and only if A 3 6 ( s , t ) ≅ A 3 6 ( n − 9,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 3 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 6 ( n − 9,1 ) ) = 9 n − 30 or Z ( A 3 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 6 ( 0, n − 8 ) ) = 31 n − 236 . So Z ( A 3 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 3 6 ( 0 , n − 8 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 3 6 ( n − 9 , 1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Theorem 3.4. Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 11 vertices. Then Z ( G ) ≥ 9 n − 30 &gt; 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 3 1 ( s , t ) ) = Z ( A 1 3 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 10 n − 40 , Z ( A 3 3 ( n − 7 ) ) = 12 n − 45 , Z ( A 3 4 ( n − 8 ) ) = 14 n − 53 , Z ( A 3 5 ( n − 8 ) ) = 11 n − 35 , Combing Theorem 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, Lemmas 3.8, 3.9, (1) and arguments as above, we get that Z ( G ) ≥ 9 n − 30 &gt; 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .&#168;</p><p>Similary, by repeated applications of transformations I, II, III and IV, we are considering A 4 ( n − 7 ) . This implies that G ( l − 2 ) has six possible structures, see <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>.</p><p>Lemma 3.10. Let A 4 2 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 7 vertices. If n ≥ 9, s ≥ 1, t ≥ 1 , in A 4 2 ( s , t ) . Then Z ( A 4 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 8 n − 14 , where the equality holds if and only if A 4 2 ( s , t ) ≅ A 4 2 ( n − 8,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 4 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 2 ( n − 8,1 ) ) = 8 n − 14 or Z ( A 4 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 2 ( 1, n − 8 ) ) = 11 n − 52 . So Z ( A 4 2 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 2 ( 1, n − 8 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 4 2 ( n − 8,1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Lemma 3.11. Let A 4 6 ( s , t ) be a graph with n = s + t + 8 vertices. If</p><p>n ≥ 10, s ≥ 0, t ≥ 1 , in A 4 6 ( s , t ) . Then A 4 6 ( s , t ) ≥ 11 n − 37 , where the equality holds if and only if A 4 6 ( s , t ) ≅ A 4 6 ( n − 9,1 ) .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 4 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 6 ( n − 9,1 ) ) = 11 n − 37 or Z ( A 4 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 6 ( 0, n − 8 ) ) = 24 n − 154 . So Z ( A 4 6 ( s , t ) ) ≥ Z ( A 4 6 ( 0, n − 8 ) ) &gt; Z ( A 4 6 ( n − 9,1 ) ) .&#168;</p><p>Theorem 3.5. Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 7 vertices. Then Z ( G ) ≥ 9 n − 30 &gt; 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .</p><p>Proof. By lemma 2.1 and 2.6, we have, Z ( A 4 1 ( s , t ) ) = Z ( A 1 4 ( s , t ) ) ≥ 7 n − 19 , Z ( A 4 3 ( n − 7 ) ) = 16 n − 73 , Z ( A 4 4 ( n − 8 ) ) = 10 n − 31 , Z ( A 4 6 ( n − 8 ) ) = 11 n − 35 , Combing Theorem 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, Lemmas 3.10, 3.11, (1) and arguments as above, we get that Z ( G ) ≥ 9 n − 30 &gt; 8 n − 14 &gt; 7 n − 19 &gt; 6 n − 10 &gt; 6 n − 11 &gt; 6 n − 15 .&#168;</p><p>Theorem 3.6. Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 7 vertices. Then Z ( G ) ≥ 6 n − 10 = Z ( A 4 ( n − 7 ) ) &gt; 6 n − 11 = Z ( A 5 ( n − 7 ) ) &gt; 6 n − 15 = Z ( A 1 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) &gt; 5 n − 8 = Z ( F n + 3 * ( 1 , 1 , 0 , 1 , 1 , n − 6 ) ) .</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Conclusions</title><p>Combing Theorem 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 we obtain.</p><p>Let G ∈ F n n + 3 with n ≥ 7 vertices. Then</p><p>Z ( G ) ≥ 6 n − 10 = Z ( A 4 ( n − 7 ) ) &gt; 6 n − 11 = Z ( A 5 ( n − 7 ) ) &gt; 6 n − 15 = Z ( A 1 ( 1 , n − 7 ) ) &gt; 5 n − 8 = Z ( F n + 3 * ( 1 , 1 , 0 , 1 , 1 , n − 6 ) ) . In this paper,</p><p>we determine the second to fourth minimal Hosoya indices in a kind of tetracyclica graph. This method has not been cited yet, and it is innovative in terms of method. Using this method can solve other graphics and knowledge in the field of graph theory, so promoting the development of graph theory research, respectively. Some new topological indicators in graph theory are closely related to hosoya indicators, laying the foundation for these studies.</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>Fund Projects</title><p>Project No 07M2022003.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Jiu, X.J. (2023) The Minimum Hosoya Index of a Kind of Tetracyclic Graph. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 11, 3366-3376. https://doi.org/10.4236/jamp.2023.1111215</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.128918-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Gutman, I. and Polansky, O.E. (1986) Mathematical Concepts in Organic Chemistry. Springer, Berlin. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783112570180</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.128918-ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Hosoya, H. (1971) Topological Index, a Newly Proposed Quantity Characterizing the Topological Nature of Structural Isomers of Saturated Hydrocarbons. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, 44, 2332-2339. https://doi.org/10.1246/bcsj.44.2332</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.128918-ref3"><label>3</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Merrifield, R.E. and Simmons, H.E. (1989) Topological Methods in Chemistry. 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