Exact results and scaling properties of small-world networks

R. V. Kulkarni, E. Almaas, D. Stroud

Published 1999-08-16, updated 1999-08-19Version 2

We study the distribution function for minimal paths in small-world networks. Using properties of this distribution function, we derive analytic results which greatly simplify the numerical calculation of the average minimal distance, $\bar{\ell}$, and its variance, $\sigma^2$. We also discuss the scaling properties of the distribution function. Finally, we study the limit of large system sizes and obtain some analytic results.