Revisiting The Rédei-Berge Symmetric Functions via Matrix Algebra

Abstract

We revisit the Rédei-Berge symmetric function ${\mathcal{U}}_D$ for digraphs $D$, a specialization of Chow's path-cycle symmetric function. Through the lens of matrix algebra, we consolidate and expand on the work of Chow, Grinberg and Stanley, and Lass concerning the resolution of ${\mathcal{U}}_D$ in the power sum and Schur bases. Along the way we also revisit various results on Hamiltonian paths in digraphs.

21 pages, 1 figure, version 2 (edited manuscript)