Upper $k$-Star-Forming Sets, $k$-Independence, and Upper Domination
For a positive integer $k$, let $\beta_k(G)$ be the maximum cardinality of a vertex set inducing maximum degree less than $k$, and let $SF_k(G)$ be the maximum cardinality of a minimal $k$-star-forming set. The known inequality $\beta_k(G)\le SF_k(G)$ suggests asking when equality holds. We place this question in the f...