Questions tagged [determinants]
Questions about the determinant of square matrices or linear endomorphisms. Also for closely related topics such as minors or regularized determinants.
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Definitions of determinant by unique features
A well-known definition of the determinant is:
The determinant is the only function of a vector space of dimension $n$ to its underlying field which is multilinear, alternating and normalized.
See e....
15
votes
3
answers
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Questions on Toeplitz matrices: invertibility, determinant, positive-definiteness
These questions are probably very basic but I'll dare to ask them anyway since I didn't have much luck in Math Stack Exchange.
Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ Hermitian Toeplitz matrix:
$$A = \begin{...
15
votes
1
answer
466
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Determinant of a matrix filled with elements of the Thue–Morse sequence
Let $n$ be a positive integer. Suppose we fill a square matrix $n\times n$ row-by-row with the first $n^2$ elements of the Thue–Morse sequence (with indexes from $0$ to $n^2-1$). Let $\mathcal D_n$ be ...
15
votes
1
answer
539
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Matrix with small elements and prescribed determinant
Let $p$ be a large prime number. I want a $k\times k$ matrix with determinant $p$ and bounded integer elements (say, from -100 to 100). For which minimal $k$ such a matrix does always exist? We can ...
14
votes
2
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"sinc'n determinant"
The function $\text{sinc}(x)=\frac{\sin x}x$ permeates mathematics and physics in several aspects, and it carries multiple presentations/formulations. My interest is to inject yet another one of such.
...
14
votes
1
answer
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Why does this matrix have zero determinant?
This curious identity arose from studying reductions of the maximal ideal in certain monomial algebra. It can be proved "by hand", (i.e, using Macaulay 2), but I am seeking a more conceptual ...
14
votes
1
answer
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A determinantal formula
In my research, I encounter the following formula which I believe is correct (checked for $n\le3$). Is it classical ? If so, what is a reference ?
I am given a real symmetric matrix
$$S:=\int Y(t)Y(t)...
14
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2
answers
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Are bounds known for the maximum determinant of a (0,1)-matrix of specified size and with a specifed number of 1s?
The problems of determining the maximum determinant of an $n \times n$ $(0,1)$-matrix and the spectral problem of determining exactly which other determinants can possibly occur are both reasonably ...
14
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1
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Expansion of $\det(A+B)$
If $A,B\in{\bf M}_n(k)$, then the following formula holds true:
$$\det(A+B)=\sum_{r=0}^n\sum_{|I|=|J|=r}\epsilon(I,I^c)\epsilon(J,J^c)A\binom IJ B\binom{I^c}{J^c}.$$
In this formula, $I$ and $J$ are ...
14
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1
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slick-proof-of-trick-for-counting-domino-tilings
The trick for rewriting the number of domino tilings of a simply-connected finite lattice region as the absolute value of the determinant of a matrix (due I believe to Kasteleyn and Percus, but if ...
14
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3
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Determinant equal to Fibonacci sequence
I need to find the determinant of matrix defined by
\begin{align*}
& a_{i,1}=a_{1,j}=1,\quad \forall 1\leq i,j\leq n,\\ & a_{i,j}=a_{i-1,j}+a_{i,j-1}+i-j, \quad \forall 1< i,j\leq n.
\...
13
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3
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Is $-\det\big[\big(\frac{i^2+j^2}p\big)\big]_{1\le i,j\le (p-1)/2}$ always a square for each prime $p\equiv 3\pmod 4$?
Let $p$ be an odd prime and let $S_p$ denote the determinant
$$\det\left[\left(\frac{i^2+j^2}p\right)\right]_{1\le i,j\le (p-1)/2}$$
with $(\frac{\cdot}p)$ the Legendre symbol. By Theorem 1.2 of my ...
13
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2
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How to invert the matrix [n choose 2j - i] ?
In a certain model of a stat-physics type, one encounters a matrix
$$
A_n:=\left[\binom{n}{2j-i}\right]_{i,j=1}^{n-1}.
$$
The determinant of this matrix (equal to $2^{\binom n2}$) counts the number ...
13
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2
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The expected square of the determinant of a random row stochastic matrix
In this
question Anthony Quas asks about the expected absolute value of
the determinant of an $n\times n$ row stochastic matrix $A$, where
the rows are independently selected from the uniform ...
13
votes
1
answer
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Is there a Giambelli identity with dual representations?
For natural numbers $a,b$ with $b\leq n-1$, let $V_{ (a|b)}$ be the irreducible representation of $GL_n$ with highest weight vector $(a+1, 1^b, 0^{n-b-1})$ where the exponentiation denotes repetition.
...
13
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1
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Some more binomial coefficient determinants
The setup is similar to this question, but generalizes the size of the Hankel matrix. We'll define
$$d(n,k,r):=\det\left(\binom{2i+2j+k+r}{i+j}\right)_{i,j=0}^{kn-1}.$$
Edit: Thanks to Johann ...
13
votes
1
answer
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A difficult determinant
(EDIT: I have removed the denominators I had in a previous version as they were superfluous)
The $N\times N$ determinant
$$D(a,\vec{b})=\det\left((2N+a+b_j-i-j)!\right)$$
has the nice form
$$D(a,\...
13
votes
2
answers
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Does $n^2$ divide $\det\left[\left(\frac{i^2+2ij+3j^2}n\right)\right]_{1\le i,j\le n-1}$ for each odd integer $n>3$?
For any odd integer $n>1$ and integers $c$ and $d$, define
$$(c,d)_n:=\det\left[\left(\frac{i^2+cij+dj^2}n\right)\right]_{1\le i,j\le n-1},$$
where $(\frac{\cdot}n)$ is the Jacobi symbol. It is ...
13
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2
answers
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Determinant of $V^* V$ where $V$ is rectangular Vandermonde matrix with nodes on unit circle
Let $z_{1},\dots,z_{k}$
be distinct complex numbers with $\left|z_{j}\right|=1,\;j=1,\dots,k$. For any natural $N\geqslant k$
consider the rectangular Vandermonde matrix
$$
V_{N}=\begin{pmatrix}1 &...
13
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0
answers
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A determinant problem for primes $p\equiv 1\pmod4$
Let $p$ be an odd prime, and let $A_p$ denote the matrix
$$[a_{ij}]_{1\le i,j\le (p-1)/2},$$
where
$$a_{1j}=\left(\frac jp\right),\ \ \text{and}\ \ a_{ij}=\left(\frac{i^2+j^2}p\right)\ \text{for}\ i&...
12
votes
1
answer
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Is the image of the map $A \to \bigwedge^k A$ closed over $\mathbb{R}$?
Let $V$ a real vector space of dimension $d$. Let $1<k < d-1$. Consider the map induced by the exterior algebra functor:
$$ \psi:\text{End}(V) \to \text{End}(\bigwedge^kV) \, \, \, \, , \, \, ...
12
votes
2
answers
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Determinant of identity matrix plus Hilbert matrix
I am looking for the determinant
$$ \det(I_n + H_n) $$
where $I_n$ is the $n \times n$ identity matrix and $H_n$ is the $n \times n$ Hilbert matrix, whose entries are given by
$$ [H_n]_{ij} = \frac{...
12
votes
2
answers
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Determinant of a checkerboard Hankel matrix with Catalan numbers
My goal is to compute
\begin{equation}
I = \det \left(\mathbf{I} + \mathbf{A}\right)
\end{equation}
where $\mathbf{A}$ is a $n \times n$ checkerboard matrix filled with Catalan numbers:
$$
\left\{
...
12
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1
answer
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Determinants: periodic entries $0,1,2,3$
Consider an $n\times n$ matrix $M_n$ where the sequence
$$\{1,2,3,\dots,n^2\} \mod 4=\{1,2,3,0,1,2,3,\dots\}$$ forms a clock-wise spiral, in that given order. For example,
$$M_4=\begin{bmatrix} 1&...
12
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0
answers
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More mysterious properties of Gram matrix
This is another question related to the mysterious properties of the Gram matrix in dimension $4$. Here's the previous question.
The following fact could be extracted from 0402087:
For any $a_i\...
11
votes
3
answers
900
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yet another determinant and inverse of a matrix
This problem is some variation of another MO question. Consider the matrix
$$M_n:=\begin{bmatrix}-c& a & a& \dots & a \\ b & c & a& \ddots & a\\ b & b & -c &...
11
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2
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A binomial determinant fomula
Is there an existing or elementary proof of the determinant identity
$
\det_{1\le i,j\le n}\left( \binom{i}{2j}+ \binom{-i}{2j}\right)=1
$?
11
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1
answer
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Catalan determinants in search of a proof: Part II
This problem involves the Catalan numbers $C_n=\frac1{n+1}\binom{2n}n$.
I can prove the below equality by computing each of the two sides, directly. That means, there is an algebraic proof.
...
11
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1
answer
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Pfaffian equals complex determinant?
Let $V$ be a Euclidean vector space and let $V^{\mathbb{C}} = V \oplus V$ be its complexification, with complex structure
$$J = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & -\mathrm{id}\\ \mathrm{id} & 0 \end{pmatrix}....
11
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1
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Exchange determinant and integral of a matrix-valued function
Assume $A(x)=(a_{ij}(x))_{k\times k}$ is a Hermitian matrix function on some manifold $M$, is there any inequality relates the integral of its determinant $\int_M \det(A)$ and the determinant of its ...
11
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2
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Determinant associated with a group action
Let $G$ be a finite group and $S$ be a finite set, with $G$ acting on $S$. I consider indeterminates $x_g$ indexed by $g\in G$ and form the matrix of the group action $A\in M_{S\times S}$. Its entries ...
11
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1
answer
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Do there exist nonzero identically vanishing polynomials over infinite (or characteristic zero) reduced indecomposable commutative rings?
Let $R$ be an infinite, characteristic zero, commutative ring. I can furthermore suppose it is reduced and indecomposable (no nontrivial nilpotents or idempotents).
My question is whether there is a ...
11
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2
answers
896
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Determinant of arbitrary sum of positive semidefinite hermitian matrices
Suppose that $A_i$, $i=1,\ldots,m$ are positive semidefinite Hermitian $n\times n$ matrices, with $a_i^{(j)}$ being the $j$-th eigenvalue of $A_i$. Let $A_0=I$.
QUESTION. Can we extend the result ...
11
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3
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A class of matrix determinants between Wronskians and Vandermondes
Update: see below
Let $M$ be an $n\times n$ matrix that's constructed as follows. Construct the right-most column of $M$ as $[\alpha_1(x_1),\cdots,\alpha_n(x_n)]^T$ for some class of fixed functions $...
11
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2
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How to prove this determinant is positive-II?
Question: Given an arbitrary number of real matrices of the form $ A_i=
\biggl(\begin{matrix}
C_i+E_i & B_i \\
B_i^T & D_i-F_i
\end{matrix} \biggr)
$, where $B_i$ is an arbitrary $n\times n$ ...
11
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2
answers
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Classification of algebras of finite global dimension via determinants of certain 0-1-matrices
I restrict to the elementary problem that is equivalent to give a classification when Morita-Nakayama algebras have finite global dimension (see the end of this post for some background).
A Morita-...
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1
answer
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Determinant of a certain Vandermonde matrix
Is there a closed form expression for the determinant of the $n\times n$ Vandermonde-type matrix
$$A = \left(\begin{array}{}
1&g_1 & x_1&g_1 x_1 & x_1^2&g_1 x_1^2 & \cdots &...
11
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1
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Determinants of octonionic hermitian matrices
For quaternionic hermitian matrices (i.e. quaternionic square matrices $(a_{ij})$ satisfying
$a_{ji}=\bar a_{ij}$) there is a nice notion of (Moore) determinant which can be defined as follows.
...
11
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0
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Is "Determinant" a Hochschild coboundary?
Assume that $n>2$.
Is there an associative unital algebra structure on $\mathbb{C}^{n}$ such that $D$, the determinant as a $n-\text{form} $ on $\mathbb{C}^{n}$,
would be a Hochschild ...
10
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2
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Determinantal symmetry: proof requested: Part I
Consider the determinantal function
$$F(a,b,c):=\det\left[\binom{i+j+a+b}{i+a}\right]_{i,j=0}^{c-1}.$$
I would like to ask:
QUESTION. Can you provide an argument, combinatorial or otherwise, to ...
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2
answers
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Prove that the matrix $[\Gamma(\lambda_{i}+\mu_{j})]$ is nonsingular
Let A is a $n\times n$ matrix given by \begin{align*} a_{ij} = [\Gamma(\lambda_{i}+\mu_{j})] \end{align*} where $0 < \lambda_{1} < \ldots < \lambda_{n}$ and $0 < \mu_{1} < \ldots < \...
10
votes
4
answers
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Maximum determinant of $\{0,1\}$-valued $n\times n$-matrices
What's the maximum determinant of $\{0,1\}$ matrices in $M(n,\mathbb{R})$?
If there's no exact formula what are the nearest upper and lower bounds do you know?
10
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2
answers
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Determinant of a $3\times3$ magic square
This is my first question with mathOverflow so I hope my etiquette is up to par here.
My question is regarding a $3\times3$ magic square constructed using the la Loubère method (see la Loubère method)
...
10
votes
3
answers
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Derivative of a determinant of a matrix field
Let $A(x_1,...,x_n)$ be an $n\times n$ matrix field over $R^n$.
I am interested in the partial derivative determinant of $A$ in respect to $x_i$. In can be shown that:
$\frac{\partial{\det(A)}}{\...
10
votes
2
answers
3k
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Determinant of the "real part" of a matrix
Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ complex matrix, and write $A=X+iY$, where $X$ and $Y$ are real $n\times n$ matricies. Suppose that for every square submatrix $S$ of $A$, $|\mathrm{det}(S)|\leq 1$ (i.e., ...
10
votes
4
answers
549
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Hankel determinants of harmonic numbers
Let $H_n=\sum_{k=1}^n\frac 1 k$ be the $n$-th harmonic number with $H_0=0.$
Question: Is the following true?
$$\det\left(H_{i+j}\right)_{i,j=0}^n=(-1)^n \frac{2H_{n}}{n! \prod_{j=1}^n \binom{2j}{j} \...
10
votes
2
answers
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When the determinant of a 2x2 polynomial matrix is a square?
Consider a 2x2 matrix $A$ with entries from $\mathbb{C}[x,y]$. Assume that $\mathrm{det} A$ is a square. Is it true that then $A$ can be represented as a noncomuting product $A=A_1 A_2 … A_{2n}$, in ...
10
votes
2
answers
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Is this a metric on the Grassmannian Manifold?
Let $m>n$ and consider the Set
$$S_{m,n}=\{A \in \mathbb{R}^{m \times n}\lvert A^TA=I_n \}.$$
Does the function $d\colon S_{m,n} \times S_{m,n} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ defined by
$$d(A,B)=\sqrt{1-\...
10
votes
1
answer
509
views
Homogeneous polynomials, mixed determinants, positive definiteness
Are there $n\times n$ real matrices $A_{1}, \ldots, A_{n}$ such that the $n$-homogeneous polynomial
$$
f(x_{1}, \ldots, x_{n}) = \det(x_{1} A_{1}+\cdots +x_{n} A_{n})
$$
never vanishes on $\...
10
votes
1
answer
614
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Is it true that $\det\big[\sin 2\pi\frac{(j-k)^2}p\big]_{1\le j,k\le p-1}=-\frac{p^{(p-1)/2}}{2^{p-1}}$ for each prime $p\equiv3\pmod4$?
Question. Does the equality
$$\det\left[\sin 2\pi\frac{(j-k)^2}p\right]_{1\le j,k\le p-1}=-\frac{p^{(p-1)/2}}{2^{p-1}} $$
hold for every prime $p\equiv3\pmod4$?
I have checked the equality numerically ...