All Questions
12 questions
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Examples of combinatorial problems where the only known solutions, or most "natural" solutions, use representation theory?
In Solution of two difficult combinatorial problems with linear algebra, Robert Proctor presents two simply stated combinatorial problems, and gives solutions to them using a linear algebraic approach ...
1
vote
0
answers
189
views
The existence of solutions to linear systems of equations over the integer ring $\mathbb{Z}$
There are already detailed results on the solutions of linear equations over fields, but I'd like to inquire about any good conclusions regarding the solutions of linear equations over the integer ...
- 173
4
votes
1
answer
211
views
Nonempty intersection of cosets of finite-index subgroups
$\DeclareMathOperator\lcm{lcm}$This question is crossposted from MSE.
Let $H_1,\dots,H_{n+2}$ be cosets of finite-index subgroups of $\mathbb{Z}^n$ and suppose for all $i=1,\dots,n+2$, $\bigcap_{j\neq ...
- 10.6k
2
votes
1
answer
298
views
Is there a combinatorial interpretation for the change of basis matrix in the Frobenius normal form representation?
Let $G$ be a graph on $n$ vertices. Let $A$ be the adjacency matrix of $G$ (i.e., rows and columns of $A$ are indexed by vertices of $G$, and the $(v,w)$ entry of $A$ is $1$ if $(v,w)$ is an edge in $...
- 557
7
votes
2
answers
589
views
On a matrix problem in the field $\mathbb F_2$
Given $M$ a symmetric matrix in $\mathbb F_2^{n\times n}$ having $\mathsf{det}_\mathbb R(M)\neq0$ (non-singular in reals) and satisfying $PMP'=(M+J+I)$ or $P(M+J+I)P'=M$ where $P$ is a permutation ...
- 13.9k
10
votes
1
answer
807
views
How many Lie and associative algebras over a finite field are there?
This question is related to the following general question:
Given a variety of (non-associative) algebras $\mathcal V$, a finite field $\mathbb{F}_q$, with $q$ elements, and a positive integer $n$, ...
- 398
5
votes
1
answer
564
views
When is the adjacency algebra of a graph an association scheme?
The adjacency algebra of a graph is the algebra consisting of all polynomials in the adjacency matrix of the graph. An association scheme is a commutative matrix algebra containing the identity and ...
- 2,339
3
votes
0
answers
171
views
Question about circulants and association schemes
Suppose $X$ and $Y$ are two $n$-circulants (Cayley graphs for $\mathbb{Z}_n$) with adjacency matrices $A_X$ and $A_Y$. Since they are circulants, both $X$ and $Y$ lie in some symmetric association ...
- 2,339
7
votes
1
answer
461
views
Can every trace preserving isomorphism of unital self-adjoint matrix algebras be realized as conjugation by a unitary?
In this paper, Friedland shows (in Lemma 3.4) that if $\phi$ is an isomorphism of coherent algebras, then there exists a unitary $U$ such that
$$ \phi(M) = UMU^\dagger$$
for all $M$. I am wondering if ...
- 2,339
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
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Number of idempotent $n\times n$ matrices over $\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z}$?
Is there any known formula for the number of idempotent $n\times n$ matrices over $\mathbb{Z}_m:=\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z}$ ?
The number of idempotent matrices over a finite field is well-known and ...
user31416
3
votes
3
answers
310
views
measuring $n\ 2$-planes in $\mathbb{R}^{2n}$
Given $n$ vectors $v_1, \ldots, v_n$ in $\mathbb{R}^n$ of course we all know at least one measure for their relative configuration: $|v_1 \wedge\ldots \wedge v_n|$. Now suppose one were given $n$ ...
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