On a fast and nearly division-free algorithm for the characteristic polynomial

Understand

We review the Preparata-Sarwate algorithm, a simple $O(n^{3.5})$ method for computing the characteristic polynomial, determinant and adjugate of an $n \times n$ matrix using only ring operations together with exact divisions by small integers.

• The algorithm is a baby-step giant-step version of the more well-known Faddeev-Leverrier algorithm.
• We make a few comments about the algorithm and evaluate its performance empirically.