An $e$-positive classification for complete multipartite graphs

Abstract

Shelburne and van Willigenburg (arXiv:2604.26158) characterize the Schur-positive complete multipartite graphs and leave open whether the graphs~$G=K_{(3,2^2)}$ are $e$-positive. We resolve this question and, together with their classification, characterize all $e$-positive complete multipartite graphs. Our main result is an explicit, manifestly nonnegative $e$-expansion of~$X_G$ whose coefficients are expressed in terms of the restricted-injection numbers. Our main idea is to derive a marker-variable coefficient-extraction formula for the $e$-coefficients of arbitrary complete multipartite graphs from the elementary--monomial Cauchy identity. For the particular graph~$G$, this formula reduces the proof to three coefficient families, which we evaluate using Dickson polynomials and recurrences for these numbers.