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Computing Minimal Polynomials of Matrices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2010

Max Neunhöffer
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, School of Mathematics and Statistics, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, Scotland, United Kingdom, neunhoef@mcs.st-and.ac.uk
Cheryl E. Praeger
Affiliation:
University of Western Australia, School of Mathematics and Statistics (M019), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia, praeger@maths.uwa.edu.au

Abstract

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We present and analyse a Monte-Carlo algorithm to compute the minimal polynomial of an n × n matrix over a finite field that requires O(n3) field operations and O(n) random vectors, and is well suited for successful practical implementation. The algorithm, and its complexity analysis, use standard algorithms for polynomial and matrix operations. We compare features of the algorithm with several other algorithms in the literature. In addition we present a deterministic verification procedure which is similarly efficient in most cases but has a worst-case complexity of O(n4). Finally, we report the results of practical experiments with an implementation of our algorithms in comparison with the current algorithms in the GAP library.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © London Mathematical Society 2008

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