On a formula of Thompson and McEnteggert for the adjugate matrix (Q2052175)

Let \(A\in\mathcal{R}^{n\times n}\), where \(\mathcal{R}\) is a commutative ring with identity. Let \(\lambda_0\), \(v\), \(w\), and \(p\) be its eigenvalue, a corresponding right eigenvector, a corresponding left eigenvector, and the characteristic polynomial, respectively. The Thompson-McEnteggert formula (TM in what follows) states that \[ w^Tv\,\mathrm{Adj}\,(\lambda_0I-A)=p'(\lambda_0)vw^T. \] It was found by \textit{R. C. Thompson} and \textit{P. McEnteggert} in [Linear Algebra Appl. 1, 211--243 (1968; Zbl 0224.15012)], for the case \(\mathcal{R}=\mathbb{C}\) and \(A\) Hermitian. If \(\lambda_0\) is multiple and \(w^Tv=0\), then the TM formula is meaningless. If \(\lambda_0\) is simple, then it is meaningful. Assuming that \(\mathcal{R}\) is a field, the authors provide a generalized formula (denoted by gTM), that is meaningful for multiple \(\lambda_0\) too. If \(A\) is nonsingular, they also express the elementary divisors of \(\mathrm{Adj}\,(A)\) in terms of those of \(A\). Let \(A\in\mathbb{C}^{n\times n}\) be Hermitian. Let \(\lambda_i\), \(v_i\), and \(v_{ij}\) be its \(i\)-th largest eigenvalue, a corresponding unit eigenvector, and its \(j\)-th component, respectively. Omitting the \(j\)-th row and column from \(A\), let \(\mu_{jk}\) be the \(k\)-th largest eigenvalue of the matrix so obtained. The ``classical eigenvector-eigenvalue identity'' (denoted by EE), \[ |v_{ij}|^2\prod_{\substack{k=1\\ k\ne i}}^n(\lambda_i-\lambda_k)=\prod_{k=1}^n(\lambda_i-\mu_{jk}), \quad i,j=1,\dots,n, \] follows from the TM formula. So, the EE formula is meaningful if all eigenvalues of \(A\) are simple. Using the gTM formula, the authors generalize the EE formula to an identity that is meaningful also if \(A\) has defective eigenvalues with geometric multiplicity 1. The authors also present other applications of the TM and gTM formulas.