A factorization of an integral \(2\times 2\) matrix via a rational method (Q1076765)

In an earlier paper of the author [Acta Arith. 24, 151--156 (1973; Zbl 0241.15009)] it was shown that an integral \(2\times 2\) matrix \(A\), with characteristic polynomial \(x^2-m\), \(m\equiv 2,3 (4)\) and square free, can only be expressed as the product of two integral symmetric matrices if the ideal class corresponding to \(A\) (in the sense of \textit{C. G. Latimer} and \textit{C. C. MacDuffee} [Ann. Math. (2) 34, 313--316 (1933; Zbl 0006.29002)]) has order 1, or 2 or 4. The companion matrix of \(x^2-m\) can be factorized as \(\left( \begin{matrix} 1 & 0\\ 0 & m\end{matrix} \right)\left( \begin{matrix} 0 & 1\\ 1 & 0\end{matrix} \right)\). By an algorithm using the ideal matrix of the ideal considered any integral matrix with characteristic polynomial \(x^2-m\) can hence be expressed as the product of two rational matrices similar to integral symmetric matrices. The algorithm can also be based on any matrix in a class of order 2 or 4 (apart from exceptions for 4). Numerical examples are included.