Abstract: | It is shown that, if t is an integer ≥3 and not equal to 7 or 8, then there is a unique maximal graph having the path Pt as a star complement for the eigenvalue ?2. The maximal graph is the line graph of Km,m if t = 2m?1, and of Km,m+1 if t = 2m. This result yields a characterization of L(G ) when G is a (t + 1)‐vertex bipartite graph with a Hamiltonian path. The graphs with star complement Pr ∪ Ps or Pr ∪ Cs for ?2 are also determined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 43: 137–149, 2003 |