International J.Math. Combin. Vol.

1(2018), 90-96

Adjacency Matrices of Some Directional Paths and Stars

Rajesh Kumar T.J and Mathew Varkey T.K

(Department of Mathematics, T.K.M College of Engineering, Kollam,Kerala, India)

[email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: Graph labeling where vertices and edges are assigned values subject to certain
conditions have been motivated by various applied mathematical fields. Most of the problems
in graph labeling are discussed on undirected graphs. Bloom G.S. and Hsu D.F. defined the
labeling on directed graphs. In this paper, we discuss the adjacency matrices of graceful
digraphs such as unidirectional paths,alternating paths,many orientations of directed star
and a class of directed bistar. We also discuss the adjacency matrices of unidirectional paths
and alternating paths if they are odd digraceful.
Key Words: Digraceful labeling, digraceful graph, Smarandachely H-digraceful graph,
adjacency matrix, unidirectional paths, alternating paths.
AMS(2010): 05C78.

§1. Introduction

Most of the applications in Engineering and Science have undirected graphs are in the prob-
lems.The graph labeling problems are widely focus on undirected graphs.There exists situations
in which directed graphs are playing a key role in some problems. There we using graph labeling
in directed graphs. In 1980,Bloom G.S. and Hsu D.F.([3],[4],[5])extend the concept of graceful
labeling of undirected graphs to digraphs.They investigate the graceful labeling problems of
digraphs. Graceful digraphs are related in a variety ways to other areas of Mathematics.
The underlying graph UG(D) of a digraph D is obtained from D by removing the direction
of each arc in D. Here we consider UG(D) is connected and has no self loops or multiple edges.
In otherwords the digraph D is simply connected. The vertex set and edge set of a simple
connected digraph are denoted by V(D) and E(D) where E(D) = − → uvǫV (D). For an arc −
uv, →
uv
the first vertex u is its tail and second vertex v is its head.
For all terminology and notations in graph theory,we follow Harary[1] and for all terminol-
ogy regarding graceful labeling,we follow [2]. A connected graph with p vertices and q edges
is called graceful if it is possible to label the vertices of x with pairwise distinct integers f(x)
in {0, 1, 2, 3, · · · , q} so that each edge, xy, is labeled |f (x) − f (y)|, the resulting edge labels
are pairwise distinct (and thus from the entire set {1, 2, 3, · · · , q}). A connected graph with p
vertices and q edges is called odd graceful if it is possible to label the vertices of x with pairwise

1 Received August 1, 2017, Accepted February 28, 2018.

 Adjacency Matrices of Some Directional Paths and Stars 91

distinct integers f(x) in {0, 1, 2, 3, · · · , 2q − 1} so that each edge, xy, is labeled |f (x) − f (y)|,the
resulting edge labels are pairwise distinct (and thus from the entire set {1, 3, 5, · · · , 2q − 1}).

Definition 1.1([4]) A digraph D with p vertices and q edges is said to be digraceful if there
exists an injection f : V (D) → {0, 1, 2, · · · , q} such that the induced function f ′ : E(D) →
{1, 2, 3, · · · , q} which is denoted by f ′ (u, v) = [f (v) − f (u)](modq + 1) for every directed edge
(u, v) is a bijection, where [v](modn) denotes the least positive integer of v modulo n. If the edge
values are all distinct then the labeling is called a digraceful labeling of a digraph. A digraph is
called a graceful digraph if it has a digraceful labeling.

Generally, a Smarandachely H-digraceful graph is such a digraceful graph G that each

subgraph H ′ ≺ G is a graceful digraph if H ′ ∼ = H. Clearly, a Smarandachely G-digraceful
graph is nothing else but a digraceful graph. Let f be a labeling of a digraph D from V(D)
to {0, 1, 2, · · · , q} such that for each arc − →
uvǫD, f (−
→ = f (u) − f (v) if f(u)> f(v),otherwise
uv)
f (uv) = q + 1 + f (u) − f (v).We call f a digraceful labeling of D if the arc label set {f (−
−
→ → :
uv)
−
→
uvǫE(D)} = {1, 2, 3, · · · , q}.Therefore D is called a graceful digraph.

Definition 1.2 A digraph D with p vertices and q edges is said to be odd digraceful if there
exists an injection f : V (D) → {0, 1, 2, · · · , 2q − 1} such that the induced function f ′ : E(D) →
{1, 2, 3, · · · , 2q − 1} which is denoted by f ′ (u, v) = [f (v) − f (u)](mod2q) for every directed edge
(u, v) is a bijection,where [v](mod n) denotes the least positive integer of v modulo n.If the edge
values are all distinct then the labeling is called a odd digraceful labeling of a digraph.A digraph
is called a odd graceful digraph if it has a odd digraceful labeling.

Let f be a labeling of a digraph D from V(D) to {0, 1, 2, · · · , 2q − 1} such that for each arc
−
uvǫD, f (−
→ → = f (u) − f (v) if f(u)> f(v),otherwise f (−
uv) → = q + 1 + f (u) − f (v).We call f a odd
uv)
digraceful labeling of D if the arc label set {f (−
→ :−
uv) →
uvǫE(D)} = {1, 2, 3, · · · , q}.
Therefore D is called a odd graceful digraph.
In next two sections, we develop a generalized adjacency matrix of unidirectional paths
and alternating paths based on graceful labeling and odd graceful labeling.

§2. Adjacency Matrices of Unidirectional Paths

Definition 2.1 Let D be a graph with V (D) = {v1 , v2 , v3 , · · · , vp }.Then the matrix AD = [xij ]
defined by


+1,
 if node vi is connected to vj and directed from vi to vj
xij = −1, if node vj is connected to vi and directed from vi to vj (0.1)



0, otherwise

is called the adjacency matrix of D.

Definition 2.2 Let D be a digraph with q edges and a labeling

92 Rajesh Kumar T.J and Mathew Varkey T.K

f : V (D) → {0, 1, 2, · · · , q}.Then the (q + 1) × (q + 1) matrix MD = [xij ] defined by


 if xy ∈ E(D) for f (x) = i and f (y) = jdirected from x to y
+1,

xij = −1, if yx ∈ E(D) for f (y) = i and f (x) = jdirected from x to y (0.2)



0, otherwise

is called the generalized adjacency matrix of D induced by the labeling f.

The generalized adjacency matrix of the digraph is skew symmetric.The generalized adja-
cency matrix allows all zeros for rows and columns corresponding to missing labels, while in
the adjacency matrix such rows corresponding to vertices of degree zero.If two graphs have the
same adjacency matrix,then they are isomorphic, but if two graphs have the same generalized
adjacency matrix they may not be isomorphic.

Definition 2.3 Let A be a p × p matrix.Then the k th diagonal line of A is the collection of

entries Dk = {aij /j − i = k},counting multiplicity.

It is clear that 0 ≤ |k| ≤ p − 1. When M = MD is a generalized adjacency matrix,M

is symmetric and Dk = D−k . The entry ±1 corresponding to an edge between vertices vi
and vj lies on the (j − i)th diagonal line.The main diagonal line is Dk for k = 0. The odd
diagonal lines are Dk for k = ±1, ±3, ±5, · · · , ±2q − 1 and the even diagonal line are Dk for
k = ±2, ±4, ±6, · · · , ±2q − 2.

Definition 2.4([6]) A finite group (G,.) of order n is said to be sequenceable if its elements
can be arranged in a sequence a0 = e, a1 , a2 , · · · , an−1 in such a way that the partial products
b0 = a0 , b1 = a0 a1 , b2 = a0 a1 a2 , · · · , bn−1 = a0 a1 a2 · · · an−1 are all distinct.

Definition 2.7 If both the indegree and outdegree of all the internal vertices of a directed path
−
→
are one,then it is called unidirectional path and is denoted by Pn .
−
→
Theorem 2.1([4]) Pn on n vertices is graceful if and only if zn is sequenceable.

Theorem 2.2 Let D be a labeled unidirectional path with q edges and let [MD ] be the generalized
adjacency matrix for D. Then D is digraceful if and only if [MD ] has exactly one entry ±1 in
each diagonal lines,except the main diagonal line of zeros.

Proof It is to be noted that the matrix [MD ] is a staircase shaped matrix and skew
symmetric.The main diagonal line is Dk for k = 0.
Suppose that [MD ] has exactly one entry ±1 in each diagonal lines except the main diag-
onal. Suppose to the contrary that the labeling of D that induces [MD ] is not digraceful.Then
there are distinct edges vr vs and vt vu with edge labels s − r = t − u = k > 0. This implies
that the sum of all the elements in aij if j − i = ±k is either 2 or 0.In the upper triangular
matrix the sum of aij is 0 and in lower triangular matrix the sum of aij is 2 contradicting the
assumption that [MD ] has exactly one entry ±1 in each diagonal Dk . Therefore labeling of D
is graceful.
 Adjacency Matrices of Some Directional Paths and Stars 93

Let f be an digraceful labeling on D and consider [MD ]. Then, for all k = ±1, ±3, ±5, · · · , ±q,
there is exactly one nonzero entry aij =±1 for j − i = k, contributing to Dk (k6= 0) since each
edge has a unique label. Then [MD ] has exactly one entry one in each diagonal line except the
main diagonal line. This completes the proof. 2
−
→
Theorem 2.3 Unidirectional path Pn on n vertices is odd digraceful if n is even.

Theorem 2.4 Let D be a labeled unidirectional path with q edges and let [MD ] be the generalized
adjacency matrix for D . Then D is odd digraceful if and only if [MD ] has exactly one entry
±1 in each odd diagonal lines and all the entries are 0 in the even diagonal lines including the
main diagonal line of zeros.

Proof It is to be noted that the matrix [MD ] is a staircase shaped matrix and skew
symmetric.The main diagonal line is Dk for k = 0. The odd diagonal lines are Dk for k =
±1, ±3, ±5, · · · , ±2q − 1 and the even diagonal line are Dk for k = ±2, ±4, ±6, · · · , ±2q − 2.
Suppose that [MD ] has exactly one entry 1 in each odd diagonal lines and all the diagonal
entries are zero in the even diagonal lines including the main diagonal. Suppose to the contrary
that the labeling of G that induces [MD ] is not odd dIgraceful Then there are distinct edges
vr vs and vt vu with edge labels s − r = t − u = k > 0. This implies that there exists atleast one
even diagonal which has a non zero entry and at least one odd diagonal which has all entries
are zero contradicting the assumption that [MD ] has exactly one entry 1 in each odd diagonal
Dk for k = ±1, ±3, ±5, · · · , ±2q − 1. Therefore labeling of is odd graceful.
Let f be an odd graceful labeling on G and consider [MD ].Then for all k = ±1, ±3, ±5, · · · ,
±2q − 1, there is exactly one nonzero entry aij =±1 such that j − i = k,contributing to Dk
since each edge has a unique label.Then [MD ] has exactly one entry one in each odd diagonal
line. Also in odd graceful labeling there is no even number edge labeling,so the diagonal line
Dk are 0 for k = ±2, ±4, ±6, · · · , ±2q − 2. This completes the proof. 2

§3. Adjacency Matrices of Alternating Paths

−−→
Now we consider the adjacency matrix in digraceful labeling of alternating path APp . An
−−→
alternating path APp with p vertices is an oriented path in which any two consecutive arcs
−−→ −−→
have opposite directions.Let v1 , v2 , v3 , · · · , vp be the vertices of APp and the arcs of APp are
−
v−→ −−→ −−→ −−−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−−−→
1 v2 , v3 v2 , v3 v4 , · · · , vp−1 vp when p is even or v1 v2 , v3 v2 , v3 v4 , · · · , vp vp−1 when p is odd. An
−−→
alternating path APp is digraceful based on the following labeling
−−→
f : V (APp ) → {0, 1, 2, 3, · · · , p − 1} defined by

f (v1 ) = 0; jpk
f (v2i ) = p − i for i = 1, 2, 3 · · · , ;
 2 
p−1
f (v2i+1 ) = i for i = 1, 2, 3, · · · , .
2
We have the following theorem.
−−→
Theorem 3.1 Let D = APp be a labeled alternating path with q edges and let [MD ] be the
94 Rajesh Kumar T.J and Mathew Varkey T.K

generalized adjacency matrix for D. Then [MD ] has exactly one entry +1 in each diagonals of
the upper triangular matrix and exactly one entry -1 in each diagonals of the lower triangular
matrix if and only if D is digraceful.

Proof It is to be noted that the matrix is skew symmetric. First assume that [MD ]
has exactly one entry +1 in each diagonals of upper triangular matrix and exactly one entry
-1 in each diagonals of lower triangular matrix.Suppose to the contrary that the D is not
digraceful.Then there are distinct edge labels h − g = f − q = k > 0. This implies that the sum
of all the elements in aij is 0 if j-i = ±k, contradicting the assumption.So D is digraceful.
Let f be a digraceful labeling on D and consider [MD ].consider the arc −v− →
i vj on D.Since D is
digraceful the labeling on the vertex vj is greater than labeling on vi . Then for all diagonals Dk
for k = ±1, ±2, ±3, · · · , ±q there is exactly one nonzero entry aij = 1 for j > i and aij = −1
for j < i. 2
−−→
Now we consider the adjacency matrix in odd digraceful labeling of alternating path APp .
−−→ −−→
An alternating path APp is odd digraceful based on the following labeling f : V (APp ) →
{0, 1, 2, 3, · · · , 2p − 3} defined by

f (v1 ) = 0;
f (v2i ) = 2p − 2i − 1, f ori = 1, 2, 3, · · · , ⌊ p2 ⌋;
f (v2i+1 ) = 2i, f ori = 1, 2, 3, · · · , ⌊ p−1
2 ⌋.

−−→
Corollary 3.1 Let D = APp be a labeled alternating path with q edges and let [MD ] be the
generalized adjacency matrix for D. Then [MD ] has exactly one entry +1 in each odd diagonals
of the upper triangular matrix and exactly one entry -1 in each odd diagonals of the lower
triangular matrix if and only if D is odd digraceful.Also all the entries are zero for even diagonal
lines.

§4. Adjacency Matrices of Many Orientations of Directed Star

In this section we consider the adjacency matrices of many orientations of directed star.Let
K1,m be an orientations of a star K1,m on (m + 1) vertices.In ([7]) Bing Yao, Ming Yao and
Hui Cheng proved the following conditions on gracefulness of directed star.
−−−→
(1) A directed star K1,m is digraceful if m is odd;
−−−→
(2) A directed star K1,m is digraceful if m is even and one of out-degree and in-degree of
−−−→
the center w of K1,m must be even.
We have the following theorem based on adjacency matrices on graceful directed stars.
−−−→
Theorem 4.1 The directed star K1,m is digraceful if and only if the adjacency matrices are
any one of the following two forms:

(1) There exists exactly one entry 1 or -1 in each diagonal lines except the main diagonal;
(2) There exists both ±1 in the diagonals D±1 and the remaining diagonal lines have exactly
one entry ±1. The main and last diagonal lines have all entries are zeros.
 Adjacency Matrices of Some Directional Paths and Stars 95

Proof The adjacency matrix is skew symmetric.The directed star have no self loops,the
−−−→
entries in the main diagonal line are all zeros. First suppose that the directed star K1,m is
digraceful. The center vertex in the directed star is connected to all the other vertices.The
labeling on the center vertex has either zero or any one of the numbers from 1 to m-1.If the
labeling on the center vertex is zero,then it is connected to all the m labeled vertices.since
each edge have a unique label,in each edge of the adjacency matrix there must exists an entry
±1.Suppose the labeling on the center vertex is other than zero.The labeling on the center vertex
is any one of the numbers from 1 to m−1.If r is the labeling on the center vertex,then there exists
at least two vertices connected to the center vertex have labelings r − 1 and r + 1.The diagonal
lines in the adjacency matrix corresponding to these vertices are D±1 and they have both ±1.
Also there exists a labeling from center vertex to all other remaining vertices.So the remaining
diagonal lines have exactly one entry ±1.Since there is no connection between the labeling zero
and m,the last diagonal is zero.Conversly suppose that the adjacency matrix satisfies any one
−−−→
of the given conditions.The directed star K1,m is digraceful followed by Theorem 2.1. 2

§5. Adjacency Matrices of a Class of Directed Bistar

A ditree H with diameter three is called a directed bistar. In ([7]), we have the following
description about a class of directed bistars T (s, t) Dibistar(I): The vertex set and arc set of a
directed bistar T(s,t) are defined as V (T (s, t)) = ui , u, v, vj : iε[1, s − 1], jε[1, t] and A(T (s, t)) =
−→, − → −→
uu i uv, vvj : iε[1, s − 1], jε[1, t],respectively,where u is the root of T(s,t).Clearly,the in-degrees
d− − + +
T (s, t)(u) = 0 and dT (s, t)(v) = 1 and the out degrees dT (s, t)(u) = s and dT (s, t)(v) = t.In
([7]) it is to be proved that every directed bistar T(2l+1,2k-2l) defined by Dibistar(I) is digraceful
for integers k > l ≥ 0.

Theorem 5.1 The directed bistar T(2l+1,2k-2l) defined by dibistar(I) is digraceful if and only
if the adjacency matrices have at least ±1 in each diagonal lines except 4l diagonal lines in
which

(1) 2l diagonal entries contains both 1 and -1;

(2) 2l diagonal entries are all zero except the main diagonal.

Proof If l = 0, the directed bistar T(1,2k)is a directed star K1,2k+1 . The result follows
from theorem(6). Let v1 and v2 be the centers of the directed bistar T (2l + 1, 2k − 2l). Suppose
the center v1 is connected to 2l vertices and the center v2 is connected to 2k-2l+1 vertices.Since
the bistar is digraceful,each edge has a unique labeling.Let the labeling on v2 is zero which is
not connected to 2l vertices.The labeling contributed a non zero entry ±1 in each diagonal lines
of the adjacency matrix except the 2l diagonal lines and the main diagonal. Also the labeling
on v1 is any integer from 1 to 2k + 1 and it contributed a non zero entry ±1 in 2l diagonal
lines of the adjacency matrix. So the 2l diagonal entries contains both 1 and −1. The converse
follows from Theorem 2.1. 2
96 Rajesh Kumar T.J and Mathew Varkey T.K

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