Supertropical matrix algebra
arXiv:0806.1178
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to develop a general algebraic theory of supertropical matrix algebra, extending [11]. Our main results are as follows: * The tropical determinant (i.e., permanent) is multiplicative when all the determinants involved are tangible. * There exists an adjoint matrix $\adj{A}$ such that the matrix $A \adj{A}$ behaves much like the identity matrix (times ). * Every matrix is a supertropical root of its Hamilton-Cayley polynomial . If these roots are distinct, then is conjugate (in a certain supertropical sense) to a diagonal matrix. * The tropical determinant of a matrix is a ghost iff the rows of are tropically dependent, iff the columns of are tropically dependent. * Every root of is a "supertropical" eigenvalue of (appropriately defined), and has a tangible supertropical eigenvector.
24 pages