On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 18:17, Mohammad Mirzadeh <mirzadeh@gmail.com> wrote:

When using -mat_partitioning_view flag, PETSc reports number of edge cuts. Is this the number of edge cuts in the graph for the new partitioning (i.e. using new global numbering)?

yes

Also, does the partitioning favors minimizing the edge cuts over having equal number of points per processor? If so, how can this be altered?

Metis and ParMetis balance the partitions "equally" (within 1 vertex), then tries to minimize the edge cut. Assuming that is the partitioner you are using, that is what you will get.