Definition:Tree (Graph Theory)/Leaf Node

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Definition

Let $v$ be a node of a tree $T$.

Then $v$ is a leaf node of a $T$ if and only if $v$ is of degree $1$.


If $T$ is a rooted tree, this is equivalent to saying that $v$ has no child nodes.


Also known as

A leaf node is also known as just a leaf.

In the context of rooted trees, a leaf node is often referred to as a terminal node.

In the context of more general graphs which are not trees, a degree $1$ vertex is known as a pendant vertex or an end vertex.


Examples

Arbitrary Example

Consider the rooted tree below:

Rooted-tree-example-1.png

The leaf nodes are $2$, $4$, $6$, $8$ and $9$.


Also see

  • Results about leaf nodes can be found here.


Sources