All Questions
1,923 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
55
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answers
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What did Gelfand mean by suggesting to study "Heredity Principle" structures instead of categories?
Israel Gelfand wrote in his remarkable talk "Mathematics as an adequate language (a few remarks)", given at "The Unity of Mathematics" Conference in honor of his 90th birthday, the ...
- 1,238
36
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Correspondence between eigenvalue distributions of random unitary and random orthogonal matrices
In the course of a physics problem (arXiv:1206.6687), I stumbled on a curious correspondence between the eigenvalue distributions of the matrix product $U\bar{U}$, with $U$ a random unitary matrix and ...
- 188k
35
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Orthogonal vectors with entries from $\{-1,0,1\}$
Let $\mathbf{1}$ be the all-ones vector, and suppose $\mathbf{1}, \mathbf{v_1}, \mathbf{v_2}, \ldots, \mathbf{v_{n-1}} \in \{-1,0,1\}^n$ are mutually orthogonal non-zero vectors. Does it follow that $...
- 6,351
25
votes
0
answers
1k
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Status of the Euler characteristic in characteristic p
In the introduction to the Asterisque 82-83 volume on `Caractérisque d'Euler-Poincaré, Verdier writes:
Enfin signalons que la situation en caractéristique positive est loin
d'être aussi ...
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24
votes
0
answers
1k
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conjectures regarding a new Renyi information quantity
In a recent paper http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.6102, we defined a quantity that we called the "Renyi conditional mutual information" and investigated several of its properties. We have some open ...
- 483
23
votes
0
answers
8k
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An $n \times n$ matrix $A$ is similar to its transpose $A^{\top}$: elementary proof?
A famous result in linear algebra is the following.
An $n \times n$ matrix $A$ over a field $\mathbb{F}$ is similar to its transpose $A^T$.
I know one proof using the Smith Normal Form (SNF). ...
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21
votes
0
answers
520
views
Is the exponent of $2$ in the Pythagorean theorem the "same $2$" as $[\mathbb{C} : \mathbb{R}]$?
I posted this question in Math StackExchange a couple years ago; due to the recent surge in interest, and following the feedback of several users, I've decided to cross-post it here. I apologize for ...
- 1,206
21
votes
0
answers
904
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Cauchy matrices with elementary symmetric polynomials
$\newcommand{\vx}{\mathbf{x}}$
Let $e_k(\vx)$ denote the elementary symmetric polynomial, defined for $k=0,1,\ldots,n$ over a vector $\vx=(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$ by
\begin{equation*}
e_k(\vx) := \sum_{1 \...
- 28.6k
20
votes
0
answers
408
views
Ado's theorem and the reduction to positive characteristic
The synopsis: proofs of Ado theorem in positive characteristic are simple, and in characteristic $0$ are difficult. Can one infer the characteristic $0$ case from the positive characteristic case?
The ...
- 2,934
18
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0
answers
571
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Fundamental Theorem of Algebra via multiple integrals
Consider the product of complex linear monic polynomials times polynomials of degree less than $n$, that is $\big( (z-\lambda), p(z)\big)\mapsto (z-\lambda)p(z)$. If we represent a polynomial by its ...
- 60.6k
18
votes
0
answers
540
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A curious switch in infinite dimensions
Let $V$ be a finite dimensional real vector space. Let $GL(V)$ be the set of invertible linear transformations, and $\Phi(V)$ be the set of all linear transformations. We can also characterize $\Phi(V)...
- 7,583
17
votes
0
answers
604
views
Bunnity of multilinear maps
Is there a way to compute the following nullity of multilinear maps? As it is different from any nullity I know of, I call it bunnity after myself:-)) If it already has a name, it be nice to know it. ...
- 12.4k
17
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0
answers
1k
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Katz--Mazur for abelian varieties
Over $\mathbb Z$, there is a smooth DM stack $A_g$ classifying abelian varieties.
Over $\mathbb Z[\frac 1N]$, there is finite etale cover $A_g(N)_{\mathbb Z[\frac 1N]}\to A_g\otimes\mathbb Z[\frac 1N]...
- 18.7k
16
votes
0
answers
756
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Is there a "natural" proof of the equality $4^2=2^4$?
This question, or rather any answer that it might receive, would probably belong to the realm of Awfully sophisticated proof for simple facts. Still, I claim that I have quite serious motivation for ...
- 18.4k
16
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0
answers
574
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Are $0, 1, 4, 7, 8$ the only dimensions in which a bivector-valued cross product exists?
It is a well-known mathematical curiosity that ordinary (vector-valued) cross products over $\mathbb{R}$ exist only in dimensions $0, 1, 3$ and $7$ (this fact is related to Hurwitz's theorem that real ...
- 1,206
16
votes
0
answers
490
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An inequality for matrix norms
Working on a problem in combinatorics I come up with the following inequality on matrix norms, which I checked it also numerically:
Let $A=(a_{ij})$ be a real symmetric $n\times n$ matrix with ...
- 4,484
16
votes
0
answers
809
views
Determinant inequality involving Hermitian, positive definite matrices
Let $A,B,C\in M_{n}(\mathbb C)$ be Hermitian and positive-definite matrices such that $A+B+C=I_{n}$.
Show that
$$\det\left(6(A^3+B^3+C^3)+I_{n}\right)\ge 5^n\det(A^2+B^2+C^2)$$
This question has been ...
- 269
16
votes
0
answers
784
views
How to explain the picturesque patterns in François Brunault's matrix?
How to explain the patterns in the matrix defined in François Brunault's
answer to the question Freeness of a Z[x] module depicted below? --
Choosing colors according to the highest power of 2 which ...
- 19.6k
15
votes
0
answers
446
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The rank of a "triangle-free" matrix
This is a version of the question I asked recently, but the assumptions got now strengthened substantially.
Suppose that $A=(a_{ij})_{1\le i,j\le n}$ is a square matrix with all elements in $\{0,\...
- 23k
15
votes
0
answers
2k
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Why was it so difficult to define the relative de Rham-Witt complex?
In Illusie's original article, the de Rham-Witt complex is defined for a smooth scheme over a perfect characteristic $p$ base $S$, without reference to $S$. Some 25 years later, Langer and Zink ...
- 16.2k
15
votes
0
answers
779
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Lifting varieties from char. $p$ to char. 0 after alterations
The question is related to this MO question:
Lifting varieties to characteristic zero.
Let $X$ be a projective smooth variety over $k$ alg. closed field of char. $p.$ Does there always exist an ...
- 4,265
14
votes
0
answers
605
views
Is the Zariski density proof of Cayley-Hamilton circular?
This old MO thread and its comments contains a discussion of the Zariski density proof of Cayley-Hamilton (I have also asked a separate question about the proof Victor gives in the comments here). ...
- 118k
14
votes
0
answers
812
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Cardinality vs. isomorphism type of vector spaces without choice
One of the classical uses of the existence of bases of vector spaces (which is equivalent to the axiom of choice) is the following theorem:
If $V$ is an infinite vector space over a field $F$, and $...
- 39.9k
14
votes
0
answers
1k
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A slick proof (?) of Zariski-Nagata purity in characteristic $p$
I am trying to understand the MathSciNet review written by Mark Kisin of the paper "Almost etale extensions" of Faltings. There Kisin illustrates Faltings' approach to the almost purity theorem with ...
- 2,663
14
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0
answers
662
views
Who stated and proved the "Hopf lemma" on bilinear maps?
If $A\otimes B\rightarrow C$ is a nondegenerate linear map, where $A, B, C$ are vector spaces over an algebraically closed field, then $\dim C\ge \dim A + \dim B -1$.
Nondegenerate here means that ...
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13
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0
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448
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Unit polynomial vector fields on the sphere
Let $\mathbb{S}^3 \subset \mathbb{R}^4$ be the unit $3$-sphere. Is there a classification available for $3$-homogeneous polynomial, unit norm, vector fields on $\mathbb{S}^3$?
More explicitly, a $3$-...
- 501
13
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0
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786
views
Seek for a algebro-geometric proof: the group homomorphism $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z}) \rightarrow \mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z})$ is surjective
It is a well-known fact that the group homomorphism $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z}) \rightarrow \mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z})$ is surjective.
What I want is a proof by method of algebraic geometry. ...
- 1,168
13
votes
0
answers
237
views
A Dynkin type classification result in linear algebra
Let $G$ be a finite directed acyclic graph. The Cartan matrix $C_G=C$ of $G$ is defined as the matrix with rows and colums indexed by the vertices of $G$ and $c_{i,j}$ counts the number of paths from $...
- 26.5k
13
votes
0
answers
749
views
Rings whose Frobenius is flat
Let $R$ be a ring of characteristic $p>0$. The (absolute) Frobenius is the map of rings $F_R:R\rightarrow R$ defined by $x\mapsto x^p$.
I am interested in rings for which $F_R$ is flat (hence ...
anon1432
13
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0
answers
815
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Can one Gershgorin circle (only) contain all eigenvalues, when the other circles are not contained in it
In short, following a question from my students, I am trying to find a special case where all the eigenvalues of a matrix lie within only one circle, but not in the others, and the other circles are ...
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0
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257
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Is the set of power matrices decidable?
Let $\text{Mat}(n\times n,\mathbb{Z})$ denote the collection of integer $n\times n$ matrices. We say $M\in \text{Mat}(n\times n,\mathbb{Z})$ is a power matrix if there is an integer $k>1$ and a ...
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13
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348
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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
$$a_{1j}=\left(\frac jp\right),\ \ \text{and}\ \ a_{ij}=\left(\frac{i^2+j^2}p\right)\ \text{for}\ i&...
- 15.6k
13
votes
0
answers
1k
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Pointwise (Hadamard) matrix product and the rank
$\DeclareMathOperator{\rk}{rk}$
Suppose that $A$ is a square matrix of order $n$. If, for any polynomials $P$ and $Q$ with $\deg P+\deg Q\le 2$, we have
$$ P(A)\circ Q(A^t) = P(1)Q(1)\, I_n \tag{$\...
- 23k
13
votes
0
answers
713
views
Regular languages of matrices and their generating functions
My question is somewhat related to this question.
Let us fix natural numbers $k$ and $C$. Let $A$ be an automaton whose alphabet consists of $k\times k$ matrices with integer coefficients of ...
- 3,897
13
votes
0
answers
943
views
Beilinson-Bernstein localization in positive characteristic
This is a follow-up to this question; in particular, I'm wondering if anyone can expand upon the interesting answers given by Kevin McGerty and David Ben-Zvi there. (In particular, in this question I'...
- 3,637
12
votes
0
answers
321
views
Combinatorial proof of invertibility of a symmetric matrix associated to the ring of matrices over a finite field
Let $F$ be a finite field of $q$ elements with characteristic $p$. Let $M_n(F)$ be the ring of $n\times n$ matrices over $F$. We define a $q^{n^2}\times q^{n^2}$ symmetric matrix $L$ over the ...
- 38.6k
12
votes
0
answers
277
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How many steps on $S_n$ are required to span $V\wedge V$, $V = K^n$?
Let $A$ be a set of generators of $G=S_n$; assume $e\in A$,
$A=A^{-1}$. Let $V = K^n$, $K$ a field. Consider the natural
action of $G$ on $V$ (namely, $g(e_i) = e_{g(i)}$) and on $W = V\wedge V$
(...
- 20.2k
12
votes
0
answers
508
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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\...
- 4,316
12
votes
0
answers
729
views
Elkies' supersingularity theorem in higher dimension (in terms of the associated Newton polygon)
Elkies' supersingularity theorem: Given an elliptic curve $E$ over $\mathbb{Q}$, there are infinitely many primes $p$ such that $E$ is supersingular over $\mathbb{F}_p$.
I have seen another post on ...
- 3,539
12
votes
0
answers
218
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Which ordering of factors is needed to obtain this kind of determinantal inequalities?
Let $A$ and $B$ be $n\times n$ Hermitian positive definite matrices. The curious determinantal inequality given here, which can be stated as $$\det (A^{4}+ ABBA+BAAB+B^{4})\ge\det(A^{4}+ AABB+BBAA+B^{...
- 13.4k
12
votes
0
answers
314
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Ratio of entries of A and log A where A is a triangular matrix
Consider triangular matrices $A = \left( {a(n,k)} \right)$ of arbitrary order with $a(n,k) = 0$ if $n + k$ is odd and $a(n,n - 2k) = \frac{{n!}}{{k!(n - 2k)!}}\frac{{(m + n - k - 1)!}}{{(m + n - 1)!}}$...
- 5,622
12
votes
0
answers
825
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Eigenvalues of permutations of a real matrix: how complex can they be?
This is sort of complementary to this thread. I’ll repeat the definitions here:
For a matrix $M\in GL(n,\mathbb R)$, consider the $n!$ matrices obtained by permutations of the rows (say) of $M$ and ...
- 13.4k
12
votes
0
answers
603
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On a tentative generalization of the Schmidt decomposition
Background
I am a PhD student in Physics and I am currently developing quite refined computer codes that allow to simulate many-body quantum systems living on a lattice. The difficulty resides in ...
- 141
12
votes
0
answers
349
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Matroids with prescribed independent sets
Let $A$ be a finite set. Let $B$ be a family of subsets of $A$. We are interested in a matroid with a minimum rank such that every element of $B$ is independent. The answer is obvious - a uniform ...
- 1,791
12
votes
0
answers
716
views
Lifting abelian varieties in (the closed fiber of) a fixed Neron model
Suppose that $R$ is a dvr with field of fractions $K$ and residue field $k$ and that $A_K$ is an abelian variety over $K$ with Neron model $A$ over $R$. Then the closed fiber $A_k$ is a smooth ...
- 1,609
11
votes
0
answers
541
views
How to determine the sign for the sum over all simple paths in the graph
$\DeclareMathOperator\perm{perm}\DeclareMathOperator\len{len}$Let $A$ be the adjacency matrix of a tree $T$ for some ordering $v_1,...,v_n$ of the vertices, and let $D=xI-A$ its characteristic ...
- 1,362
11
votes
0
answers
158
views
Characterization of certain 4-dimensional lattices
Let $\Lambda \subset {\bf Q}^4$ be a lattice, i.e., $\Lambda$ is a free abelian group and $\Lambda \otimes {\bf Q} = {\bf Q^4}$.
The determinants of those dilation-rotations (i.e. linear maps of ${\bf ...
- 11.9k
11
votes
0
answers
227
views
Matrices that admit a power that is symmetric
We fix an integer $n\geq 2$. Let $S_n$ be the set of real symmetric matrices in $M_n(\mathbb{R})$. We consider the algebraic sets $Y_k=\{A\in M_n(\mathbb{R});A^k\in S_n\},k\geq 2$ and the sequence $...
- 3,741
11
votes
0
answers
764
views
Fast computation of matrix product $AXA^T$ with fixed $A$?
Suppose we have two $n$-by-$n$ matrices $X$ and $A$, where $A$ is known and $X$ may change in different invocations, and we want to compute $AXA^T$. Is there an algorithm that beats the naive one of ...
- 75
11
votes
0
answers
313
views
Jaffard's theorem - finite matrices
For infinite matrices, Jaffard's theorem states that if $(A(k,l))_{k,l\in \mathbb{Z}}$ is invertible and satisfies
$$
A(k,l) \leq C (1+\left|k-l\right|)^{-r},
$$
for some $C>0$,
then
$$
A^{-1}(k,...
- 393