def start_ind(model, dbg=False):
    """
    equation 1 in the paper (called i_0): returns the first index
    of the w vector used in the random power law graph model
    """
    assert model.gamma > 2 #if gamma=2, this returns 0

    num_nodes = model.num_nodes
    max_deg = model.max_deg
    avg_deg = model.avg_deg
    gamma = model.gamma

    numerator = avg_deg*(gamma-2)
    denominator = max_deg*(gamma-1)
    base = numerator/denominator
    res = num_nodes * base**(gamma-1)
    if dbg:
        print(num_nodes, max_deg, avg_deg, gamma, numerator, denominator, base, res)
    return res