On the values of permanents of (0, 1) circulant matrices with three ones per row (Q2568378)

Let \(\Delta_n^k\) denote the set of \(n\times n\) circulant matrices with \(k\) ones and \(n-k\) zeros in each row. This paper is concerned with certain congruences satisfied by the permanent of matrices in \(\Delta_n^k\). Let \(p^h\) be a prime power and \(m\) an integer in the range \(1\leq m\leq 4\). The congruence class of per\((A)\) modulo \(p\) is determined for \(A\in\Delta_{mp^h}^3\), with the answer generally depending on the congruence classes of the positions occupied by ones in the first row of \(A\). Congruence classes are also found for per\((A)\) mod 8 where \(A\in\Delta_{2^h}^3\) and mod 9 where \(A\in\Delta_{3^h}^3\). Whilst most results pertain to the case \(k=3\) two results are claimed for \(k\geq 3\) and odd \(p\). Namely, that per\((A)\equiv k\) mod \(p\) for \(A\in\Delta_{p^h}^k\) and the congruence class of per\((A)\) mod 4 is obtained for \(A\in\Delta_{2p^h}^k\). Finally, the permanent for those matrices in \(\Delta_n^3\) where the ones occur on consecutive diagonals is expressed in terms of Fibonacci numbers. The author acknowledges that this last result is not new.