Congruence classes in \(M_{3}({\mathbf F}_{q})\) \((q\) even) (Q1849990)

The sizes of the various congruence (isometry) classes \(M_2 (F_q)\) and \(M_3(F_q)\) of \(2\times 2\)- and \(3\times 3\)-matrices over a finite field \(K=\mathbb{F}_q\) of \(q\) elements \((q\) even) are determined. It is taken into account that a matrix \(P\) in the general linear group \(GL_n(K)\) acts on the right on the ring \(M_n(K)\) of all \(n\times n\)-matrices \(A\) via \(A\to P^tAP\) and the congruence classes are by definition the orbits of this action. This paper completes the study of the authors' previous work [Discrete Math. 219, No. 1-3, 37-47 (2000; Zbl 0957.15007)] where the congruence classes in \(M_3 (\mathbb{F}_q)\) \((q\) odd) are found. As a result, the four tables for the congruence classes in \(M_2(\mathbb{F}_q)\) \((q\) odd), \(M_2(\mathbb{F}_q)\) \((q\) even), \(M_3(\mathbb{F}_q)\) \((q\) odd) and \(M_3(\mathbb{F}_q)\) \((q\) even), respectively, are presented.