MHB What is the determinant of a special matrix involving trigonometric functions?

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The discussion revolves around evaluating the determinant of the matrix \( I + A \), where \( I \) is the identity matrix and \( A \) has entries defined by \( a_{jk} = \cos(j\theta + k\theta) \) for \( n \geq 3 \) and \( \theta = 2\pi/n \). This problem is noted as Problem B-5 from the 1999 William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. A solution was provided by a participant named Opalg, who successfully derived the determinant. The thread emphasizes the importance of engaging with the Problem of the Week and encourages participation in future discussions. The focus remains on the mathematical evaluation and the competitive context of the problem.
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Here is this week's POTW, shamefully late. I can only say I will promise to do better in the next few weeks, and even try to catch up with the missed week:

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For an integer $n\geq 3$, let $\theta=2\pi/n$. Evaluate the determinant of the $n\times n$ matrix $I+A$, where $I$ is the $n\times n$ identity matrix and $A=(a_{jk})$ has entries $a_{jk}=\cos(j\theta+k\theta)$ for all $j,k$.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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Re: Problem Of The Week # 258 - Apr 10, 2017

This was Problem B-5 in the 1999 William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution, which follows:

Let $\omega = e^{2\pi i/n}$ and define $n\times n$ matrices $\Omega, \overline{\Omega}$ with $(j,k)$ entries $\omega^{j+k}$ and $\omega^{-(j+k)}$ respectively, so that $$\Omega = \begin{bmatrix}1&\omega &\omega^2 &\ldots &\omega^{n-1} \\ \omega &\omega^2 &\omega^3 &\ldots &1 \\ \vdots& \vdots& \vdots& \ddots \\ \omega^{n-1} &1&\omega &\ldots &\omega^{n-2} \end{bmatrix}, \qquad \overline{\Omega} = \begin{bmatrix}1&\omega^{-1} &\omega^{-2} &\ldots &\omega^{-(n-1)} \\ \omega^{-1} &\omega^{-2} &\omega^{-3} &\ldots &1 \\ \vdots& \vdots& \vdots& \ddots \\ \omega^{-(n-1)} &1&\omega^{-1} &\ldots &\omega^{-(n-2)} \end{bmatrix}.$$

Note: I am numbering the rows and columns from $0$ to $n-1$, so that the top left-hand element of each matrix is $\omega^0 =1$. If the rows and columns are numbered from $1$ to $n$ then the top left-hand elements would be $\omega^2$ and $\omega^{-2}$, which seems less natural. But the numbering convention does not affect the answer to the problem, which would be the same in either case.

Both matrices $\Omega, \overline{\Omega}$ have rank $1$, because in each case every column is a scalar multiple of the first column. Denote these first columns by $e_1 = (1,\omega ,\omega^2,\ldots ,\omega^{n-1})$, $e_2 = (1,\omega^{-1} ,\omega^{-2},\ldots ,\omega^{-(n-1)})$ (writing them as row vectors for convenience, although they are really column vectors). Let $V$ be the two-dimensional subspace of $\Bbb{C}^n$ spanned by $e_1$ and $e_2$. The linear transformations represented by the matrices $\Omega, \overline{\Omega}$ both have range in $V$. Denote by $\Omega\big| _V, \overline{\Omega}\big|_V$ their restrictions to $V$. Using the facts that $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}\omega^k\omega^{-k} = n$$ and $$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}\omega^{2k} = 0$$, you can check that $\Omega\big| _V(e_1) = 0$, $\Omega\big| _V(e_2) = ne_1$, $\overline{\Omega}\big| _V(e_1) = ne_2$ and $\overline{\Omega}\big| _V(e_2) = 0.$ So the matrices of these transformations with respect to the basis $\{e_1,e_2\}$ of $V$ are $$ \Omega\big| _V = \begin{bmatrix}0&n\\0&0 \end{bmatrix},\qquad \overline{\Omega}\big| _V = \begin{bmatrix}0&0\\n&0 \end{bmatrix}.$$

Turning now to the given matrix $A$, notice that $A = \frac12(\Omega + \overline{\Omega})$. Therefore the restriction of $A$ to $V$ has matrix $\frac n2 \begin{bmatrix}0&1\\1&0 \end{bmatrix}$ (with respect to the basis $\{e_1,e_2\}$). The eigenvalues of $ \begin{bmatrix}0&1\\1&0 \end{bmatrix}$ are $\pm1$. Also, $A$ has rank $2$, so it can only have two nonzero eigenvalues. It follows that the eigenvalues of $A$ are $0$ (with multiplicity $n-2$) and $\pm\frac n2.$ Therefore the eigenvalues of $I+A$ are $1$ (with multiplicity $n-2$) and $1\pm\frac n2.$ Since the determinant is the product of the eigenvalues, the conclusion is that $\det A = \bigl(1+\frac n2\bigr)\bigl(1-\frac n2\bigr) = 1 - \frac{n^2}4.$
 

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