On Alon-Tarsi orientations of sparse graphs

Abstract

Assume $G$ is a graph, $(v_1,\dots ,v_k)$ is a sequence of distinct vertices of $G$, and $(a_1,\dots ,a_k)$ is an integer sequence with $a_i\in \{1,2\}$. We say $G$ is \emph{$(a_1,\dots ,a_k)$-list extendable} (respectively, \emph{$(a_1,\dots ,a_k)$-AT extendable}) with respect to $(v_1,\dots ,v_k)$ if $G$ is $f$-choosable (respectively, $f$-AT), where $f(v_i)=a_i$ for $i\in \{1,\dots ,k\}$, and $f(v)=3$ for $v\in V(G)\setminus \{v_1,\dots ,v_k\}$. Hutchinson proved that if $G$ is an outerplanar graph, then $G$ is $(2,2)$-list extendable with respect to $(x,y)$ for any vertices $x,y$. We strengthen this result and prove that if $G$ is a $K_4$-minor-free graph, then $G$ is $(2,2)$-AT extendable with respect to $(x,y)$ for any vertices $x,y$. Then we characterize all triples $(x,y,z)$ of a $K_4$-minor-free graph $G$ for which $G$ is $(2,2,2)$-AT extendable (as well as $(2,2,2)$-list extendable) with respect to $(x,y,z)$. We also characterize the pairs $(x,y)$ of a $K_4$-minor-free graph $G$ for which $G$ is $(2,1)$-AT extendable (as well as $(2,1)$-list extendable) with respect to $(x,y)$. Moreover, we characterize all triples $(x,y,z)$ of a 3-colorable graph $G$ with its maximum average degree less than $\frac{14}{5}$ for which $G$ is $(2,2,2)$-AT extendable with respect to $(x,y,z)$.