The inverse of a non-singular free matrix (Q5955660)

The existence problem of the inverse free matrix \(M^{-1}\) of a non-singular free matrix \(M\) is considered. Due to the definition [cf. \textit{J. Edmunds}, J. Res. Nat. Bur. Standards, Sect. B 71, 241--245 (1967; Zbl 0178.03002)], the matrix \(M\) with the real entries is called free if the multiset of non-zero entries of \(M\) is algebraically independent over the field of rational numbers. In the paper several necessary and sufficient conditions for \(M^{-1}\) to be free are presented. In particular, it is shown that for the inverse free matrix \(M^{-1}\) the following statements are equivalent: \(M\) and \(M^{-1}\) have an equal number of zero entries; \(PM\) and \(M^{-1}P^T\) have identical zero patterns for any permutation matrix \(P\), such that \(I\leq PM\).