Given a random n x n matrix over the finite field of p elements for a fixed prime p, we will compute the probability that its Jordan normal form contains a specified 0-Jordan block. As n goes to infinity, we will see that our answer converges to the Cohen-Lenstra distribution, which is conjectured to compute the probability that the class group of a random imaginary quadratic field has a specified p-part (when p is odd). We will see why this happens by making connections between our statistics of random matrices and a heuristic distribution of finite abelian groups given by Cohen and Lenstra.

Much of the talk is from a joint work with Yifeng Huang and Zhan Jiang. We will not assume any background from the audience beyond basic graduate algebra classes.