The Hamiltonicity of directed σ-τ Cayley graphs (Or: A tale of backtracking)

Let τ be the 2-cycle (1 2) and σ the n-cycle (12 … n). These two cycles generate the symmetric group Sn. Let Gn denote the directed Cayley graph Cay(τ, σ: Sn). Based on erroneous computer calculations, Nijenhuis and Wilf (1975, p. 238; 1978, p. 288) give as an exercise to show that G5 does not have a Hamiltonian path. To the contrary, we show that G5 is Hamiltonian. Furthermore, we show that G6 has a Hamilton path. Our results illustrate how a little theory and some good luck can save a lot of time in backtracking searches.