On a fast and nearly division-free algorithm for the characteristic polynomial

Fredrik Johansson (1, 2)

1 LFANT - Lithe and fast algorithmic number theory
2 CANARI - Analyse cryptographique et arithmétique

We review the Preparata-Sarwate algorithm, a simple $O(n^{3.5})$ method for computing the characteristic polynomial, determinant and adjugate of an $n \times n$ matrix using only ring operations together with exact divisions by small integers. The algorithm is a baby-step giant-step version of the more well-known Faddeev-Leverrier algorithm. We make a few comments about the algorithm and evaluate its performance empirically.

Domaines: Calcul formel [cs.SC]; Analyse numérique [cs.NA]

Fredrik Johansson. On a fast and nearly division-free algorithm for the characteristic polynomial. 2020. ⟨hal-03016034v3⟩