Graph chromatic number

The graph chromatic number is the smallest number of colors needed to color the points in a network (called a graph) so that no two connected points share the same color. Imagine each point as a territory and lines as borders; the goal is to assign colors to territories so that neighboring ones are differently colored. This concept helps in scheduling, map-making, and resource allocation by finding efficient ways to distinguish connected or conflicting elements with the fewest colors possible.