A Fine-grained Analysis of a Simple Independent Set Algorithm

We present a simple exact algorithm for the INDEPENDENT SET problem with a runtime bounded by O(1.2132npoly(n)). This bound is obtained by, firstly, applying a new branching rule and, secondly, by a distinct, computer-aided case analysis. The new branching rule uses the concept of satellites and has previously only been used in an algorithm for sparse graphs. The computer-aided case analysis allows us to capture the behavior of our algorithm in more detail than in a traditional analysis. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a very simple algorithm can outperform more complicated ones if the right analysis of its running time is performed.