Supertropical matrix algebra (Q532620)

The objective of this paper is to develop a general algebraic theory of a supertropical matrix algebra, extending previous results of the first author. The main results are as follows: {\parindent=3.5mm \begin{itemize}\item[{\(\bullet\)}] The tropical determinant (i.e., permanent) is multiplicative when all the determinants involved are tangible. \item[{\(\bullet\)}] There exists an adjoint matrix adj\((A)\) such that the matrix \(A\cdot\text{adj}(A)\) behaves much like the identity matrix (times \(|A|\)). \item[{\(\bullet\)}] Every matrix \(A\) is a supertropical root of its Hamilton-Cayley polynomial \(f_A\). If these roots are distinct, then \(A\) is conjugate (in a certain supertropical sense) to a diagonal matrix. \item[{\(\bullet\)}] The tropical determinant of a matrix \(A\) is a ghost iff the rows of \(A\) are tropically dependent, iff the columns of \(A\) are tropically dependent. \item[{\(\bullet\)}] Every root of \(f_A\) is a ``supertropical'' eigenvalue of \(A\) (appropriately defined), and has a tangible supertropical eigenvector. \end{itemize}}