A graph is intrinsically linked if any embedding of it in three dimensions contains a nontrivial link. A graph is intrinsically linked iff
it contains one of the seven Petersen
graphs (Robertson et al. 1993).
The complete graph (left) is intrinsically
linked because it contains at least two linked triangles.
The complete k-partite
graph (right) is also intrinsically
linked.
Adams, C. C. The Knot Book: An Elementary Introduction to the Mathematical Theory
of Knots. New York: W. H. Freeman, pp. 217-221, 1994.
Robertson, N.; Seymour, P. D.; and Thomas, R. "Linkless Embeddings of Graphs
in 3-Space." Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 28, 84-89, 1993.
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