Large matchings in maximal 1-planar graphs

Abstract

It is well-known that every maximal planar graph has a matching of size at least $\frac{n+8}{3}$ if $n\ge 14$. In this paper, we investigate similar matching-bounds for maximal 1-planar graphs, i.e., graphs that can be drawn such that every edge has at most one crossing. In particular we show that every 3-connected simple-maximal 1-planar graph has a matching of size at least $\frac{2n+6}{5}$; the bound decreases to $\frac{3n+14}{10}$ if the graph need not be 3-connected. We also give (weaker) bounds when the graph comes with a fixed 1-planar drawing or is not simple. All our bounds are tight in the sense that some graph that satisfies the restrictions has no bigger matching.