Let k be a positive integer, and let G be a simple graph with vertex set V(G). A function f : V(G) → {±1, ±2, …, ±k} is called a signed total {k}-dominating function if ∑u∈N(v) f(u) ≥ k for each vertex v ∈ V(G). A set {f1, f2, …, fd} of signed total {k}-dominating functions on G with the property that [Formula: see text] for each v∈V(G), is called a signed total {k}-dominating family (of functions) on G. The maximum number of functions in a signed total {k}-dominating family on G is the signed total {k}-domatic number of G, denoted by [Formula: see text]. Note that [Formula: see text] is the classical signed total domatic number dS(G). In this paper, we initiate the study of signed total k-domatic numbers in graphs, and we present some sharp upper bounds for [Formula: see text]. In addition, we determine [Formula: see text] for several classes of graphs. Some of our results are extensions of known properties of the signed total domatic number.
Upper bounds on the signed total domatic number of graphs
