No label defined (Q4033672)

Let \(K\) be a field and \(\alpha_ 1,\alpha_ 2,\dots,\alpha_ n\in K\). The properties of the Vandermonde matrix \(V(\alpha)\), a type of alternant matrix, are well known, in particular that its determinant is the difference product of the \(\alpha\)'s and its inverse (when the \(\alpha\)'s are pairwise distinct) involves the coefficients of the Lagrange interpolation polynomials for the \(\alpha\)'s. The author establishes corresponding properties and formulae for the Cauchy matrix \(C(\alpha,\beta)\), a type of bialternant matrix involving a further set of constants \(\beta_ 1,\beta_ 2,\dots,\beta_ n\in K\) with \(\alpha_ i\neq\beta_ j\) for all \(i\) and \(j\). The author also shows how the Cauchy and Vandermonde matrices are related and applies the results to Hilbert matrices.