English

The Smith Normal Form Distribution of a Random Integer Matrix

Combinatorics 2018-01-25 v2

Abstract

We show that the density μ\mu of the Smith normal form (SNF) of a random integer matrix exists and equals a product of densities μps\mu_{p^s} of SNF over Z/psZ\mathbb{Z}/p^s\mathbb{Z} with pp a prime and ss some positive integer. Our approach is to connect the SNF of a matrix with the greatest common divisors (gcds) of certain polynomials of matrix entries, and develop the theory of multi-gcd distribution of polynomial values at a random integer vector. We also derive a formula for μps\mu_{p^s} and compute the density μ\mu for several interesting types of sets. Finally, we determine the maximum and minimum of μps\mu_{p^s} and establish its monotonicity properties and limiting behaviors.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1506.00160,
  title  = {The Smith Normal Form Distribution of a Random Integer Matrix},
  author = {Yinghui Wang and Richard P. Stanley},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1506.00160},
  year   = {2018}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T09:44:25.084Z