Notes on Hilbert and Cauchy matrices (Q1044614)

A Cauchy matrix consists of the reciprocals of all mutual sums of two given (finite) sets of parameters. The Hilbert matrix is a particular case. Elegant formulas for the determinant of a nonsingular Cauchy matrix and its inverse are presented, as well as interesting algebraic identities involving a finite number of indeterminates. A matrix with nonnegative diagonal entries is said to have AT-property (alternate trace property) if the alternate sum of the square roots of diagonal entries is either 1 (for a matrix of odd order) or 0 (for a matrix of even order). A combined matrix corresponding to a nonsingular matrix is its Hadamard (entry-wise) product with the inverse of its transpose. The author proves that the combined matrix of every symmetric totally positive Cauchy matrix has the AT-property. In particular, the combined matrix of every principal submatrix of the Hilbert matrix has the AT-property; moreover, if a square submatrix of the Hilbert matrix corresponds to consecutive rows and consecutive columns, then its inverse as well as its combined matrix have integral entries and the diagonal entries of the combined matrix are squares of integers. Amusing numerical examples are given.