The solution of the Binet-Cauchy functional equation for square matrices (Q2639267)

The first author, \textit{L. J. Cummings} and \textit{K. P. S. Bhaskara Rao} [Linear Algebra Appl. 101, 49-72 (1988; Zbl 0645.15005)] have shown that \(M_ n(K)\) being the set of \(n\times n\) matrices over the field K of characteristic 0, the general nonconstant solutions \(f: M_ n(K)\to K\) of \[ f(AB)=\frac{1}{n!}\sum_{| S| =n}\left( \begin{matrix} n\\ S\end{matrix} \right)f(A^ S)f(B_ S) \] (A,B\(\in M_ n(K)\), \(A^ S=[a_ 1^{S_ 1},...,a_ m^{S_ m}]\), \(B_ S=(b^{S_ 1}_{(1)},...,b^{S_ m}_{(m)})\), \(E=(1/n)\) (1/n at all places)) are the multiplicative functions of the permanent of A, if f(E)\(\neq 0.\) In the present paper a proof is offered that the solution is a multiplicative function of the determinant of A if \(f(E)=0.\) For a particular case see \textit{S. Kurepa} [Periodicum math.-phys. astron., II. Ser.14, 97-110 (1959; Zbl 0089.115)].