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Spanning Tree (Graph Theory)

If GG is a connected graph, then the Spanning Tree T⊆GT \sube G is a minimal connected graph with V(T)=V(G)V(T) = V(G).

The edges E(G)∖E(T)E(G) \setminus E(T) are called the chords of TT in GG.

Example​

GG is a connected graph with ∣G∣=7|G| = 7 and ∣∣G∣∣=10||G|| = 10.

Figure 1 Graph G

Removing edges so that GG becomes a minimal connected graph. The chords E(G)∖E(T)E(G) \setminus E(T) are depicted as curved lines.

Figure 2 Spanning Tree T of G. The curved edges are the chords of T in G.