Waring rank of determinant

Zach Teitler — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:05:59 +0100

Author(s): Teitler

Subject: Algebra

Question What is the Waring rank of the determinant of a generic matrix?

For simplicity say we work over the complex numbers. The generic matrix is the matrix with entries for . Its determinant is a homogeneous form of degree , in variables. If is a homogeneous form of degree , a power sum expression for is an expression of the form , the (homogeneous) linear forms. The Waring rank of is the least number of terms in any power sum expression for . For example, the expression means that has Waring rank (it can't be less than , as ).

The generic determinant (or ) has Waring rank . The Waring rank of the generic determinant is at least and no more than , see for instance Lower bound for ranks of invariant forms, Example 4.1. The Waring rank of the permanent is also of interest. The comparison between the determinant and permanent is potentially relevant to Valiant's "VP versus VNP" problem.

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Waring rank of determinant