The v-numbers and linear presentations of ideals of covers of graphs

Abstract: Let $G$ be a graph and let $J=I_c(G)$ be its ideal of covers. The aims of this work are to study the {\rm v}-number ${\rm v}(J)$ of $J$ and to study when $J$ is linearly presented using combinatorics and commutative algebra. We classify when ${\rm v}(J)$ attains its minimum and maximum possible values in terms of the vertex covers of the graph that satisfy the exchange property. If the cover ideal of a graph has a linear presentation, we express its v-number in terms of the covering number of the graph. We show necessary and sufficient conditions for the graph $\mathcal{G}_J$ of $J$ to be connected. Then, for unmixed K\"onig graphs, we classify when $J$ is linearly presented using graph theory, and show some results on Cohen--Macaulay K\"onig graphs. If $G$ is unmixed, it is shown that the columns of the linear syzygy matrix of $J$ are linearly independent if and only if $\mathcal{G}_J$ has no strong $3$-cycles. One of our main theorems shows that if $G$ is unmixed and has no induced 4-cycles, then $J$ is linearly presented. For unmixed graphs without $3$- and $5$-cycles, we classify combinatorially when $J$ is linearly presented.