The rank of random matrices over finite fields

10/17/2018

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by   Amin Coja-Oghlan, et al.

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We determine the rank of a random matrix A over a finite field with prescribed numbers of non-zero entries in each row and column. As an application we obtain a formula for the rate of low-density parity check codes. This formula verifies a conjecture of Lelarge [Proc. IEEE Information Theory Workshop 2013]. The proofs are based on coupling arguments and the interpolation method from mathematical physics.