Finite Rings Whose Graphs Have Clique Number Less than Five

Abstract

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring and [Formula: see text] be its zero-divisor graph. We completely determine the structure of all finite commutative rings whose zero-divisor graphs have clique number one, two, or three. Furthermore, if [Formula: see text] (each [Formula: see text] is local for [Formula: see text]), we also give algebraic characterizations of the ring [Formula: see text] when the clique number of [Formula: see text] is four.