Edge growth in graph squares

Abstract

We resolve a conjecture of Hegarty regarding the number of edges in the square of a regular graph. If $G$ is a connected $d$-regular graph with $n$ vertices, the graph square of $G$ is not complete, and $G$ is not a member of two narrow families of graphs, then the square of $G$ has at least $(2-o_d(1))n$ more edges than $G$.