Diagonalization of row-column-finite infinite matrices (Q1392643)

An infinite matrix over a field \(F\) is called row-column-finite, or simply \(rcf\), when there are finitely many nonzero entries in each row and column. An \(rcf\) matrix is \(rcf\)-invertible if it has a two-sided \(rcf\) inverse. Two \(rcf\) matrices \(M_1,M_2\) are \(rcf\)-equivalent if there exist \(rcf\)-invertible matrices \(P,Q\) such that \(M_2=PM_1Q\). A matrix is called diagonal if all its nonzero entries lie on the one subsidiary diagonal (not necessarily the main diagonal). A matrix is diagonalisable if it is \(rcf\)-equivalent to a diagonal matrix. The author solves in a simple and satisfactory way the problem of \(rcf\)-equivalence for diagonalisable matrices. A set of diagonal normal forms is determined and a simple description is given of the matrices \(rcf\)-equivalent to each one of them.