Generalized matrix functions and determinants (Q2440558)

This paper reproves the earlier results by the authors [Cent. Eur. J. Math. 12, No. 3, 464--469 (2014; Zbl 1297.15008)] in differing proofs that (a) nonzero multiples of the determinant function are the only generalized matrix functions that are multiplicative and remain invariant under similarities. Result (a) goes back at least forty years to \textit{M. Marcus} [Finite dimensional multilinear algebra. Part I. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. (1973; Zbl 0284.15024)]. The second reproved result (b) shows that the standard characteristic polynomial of a matrix is the unique generalized characteristic polynomial which allows the Cayley-Hamilton theorem.