Linear relations with disjoint supports and average sizes of kernels

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 $p \geqslant 5$.