Linear relations with disjoint supports and average sizes of kernels

TL;DR

This paper investigates how certain linear relations, described combinatorially, influence the average sizes of kernels in matrices over finite rings, revealing invariance under specific conditions and applying results to group theory.

Contribution

It demonstrates that relations from admissible partial colourings do not affect average kernel sizes, generalizing known results and providing explicit zeta functions for specific finite p-groups.

Findings

Imposing relations from admissible colourings does not change average kernel sizes.

Average sizes of kernels of certain matrices are invariant under these relations.

Explicit formulas for zeta functions of specific finite p-groups are derived.

Abstract

We study the effects of imposing linear relations within modules of matrices on average sizes of kernels. The relations that we consider can be described combinatorially in terms of partial colourings of grids. The cells of these grids correspond to positions in matrices and each defining relation involves all cells of a given colour. We prove that imposing such relations arising from "admissible" partial colourings has no effect on average sizes of kernels over finite quotients of discrete valuation rings. This vastly generalises the known fact that average sizes of kernels of general square and traceless matrices of the same size coincide over such rings. As a group-theoretic application, we explicitly determine zeta functions enumerating conjugacy classes of finite $p$-groups derived from free class-$3$-nilpotent groups for $p \geqslant 5$.