+ def _a_regular_element(self):
+ """
+ Guess a regular element. Needed to compute the basis for our
+ characteristic polynomial coefficients.
+ """
+ gs = self.gens()
+ z = self.sum( (i+1)*gs[i] for i in range(len(gs)) )
+ if not z.is_regular():
+ raise ValueError("don't know a regular element")
+ return z
+
+
+ @cached_method
+ def _charpoly_basis_space(self):
+ """
+ Return the vector space spanned by the basis used in our
+ characteristic polynomial coefficients. This is used not only to
+ compute those coefficients, but also any time we need to
+ evaluate the coefficients (like when we compute the trace or
+ determinant).
+ """
+ z = self._a_regular_element()
+ V = z.vector().parent().ambient_vector_space()
+ V1 = V.span_of_basis( (z**k).vector() for k in range(self.rank()) )
+ b = (V1.basis() + V1.complement().basis())
+ return V.span_of_basis(b)
+