The maximum nullity of a complete edge subdivision graph is equal to it zero forcing number

Abstract

Barrett et al. asked in [W. Barrett et al. Minimum rank of edge subdivisions of graphs. Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, 18:530–563, 2009.], whether the maximum nullity is equal to the zero forcing number for all complete subdivision graphs. We prove that this equality holds. Furthermore, we compute the value of M(F, °G) = Z(°G) by introducing the bridge tree of a connected graph. Since this equality is valid for all fields, °G has field independent minimum rank, and we also show that °G has a universally optimal matrix.