Polynomial equations for matrices over finite fields
Jiuzhao Hua · Bulletin of the Australian Mathematical Society · 1999
Let E(x) be a monic polynomial over the finite field q of q elements. A formula for the number of n × n matrices θ over q, satisfying E(θ) = 0 is obtained by counting the representations of the algebra q[x]/(E(x)) of degree n. This simplifies a formula of Hodges.