Rational exponents for cliques

Abstract

Let $\mathrm{ex}(n,H,\mathcal{F})$ be the maximum number of copies of $H$ in an $n$-vertex graph which contains no copy of a graph from $\mathcal{F}$. Thinking of $H$ and $\mathcal{F}$ as fixed, we study the asymptotics of $\mathrm{ex}(n,H,\mathcal{F})$ in $n$. We say that a rational number $r$ is \emph{realizable for $H$} if there exists a finite family $\mathcal{F}$ such that $\mathrm{ex}(n,H,\mathcal{F}) = \Theta(n^r)$. Using randomized algebraic constructions, Bukh and Conlon showed that every rational between $1$ and $2$ is realizable for $K_2$. We generalize their result to show that every rational between $1$ and $t$ is realizable for $K_t$, for all $t \geq 2$. We also determine the realizable rationals for stars and note the connection to a related Sidorenko-type supersaturation problem.