High statistics study of the reduced, quenched large N gauge theory in four dimensions

We study the reduced, quenched d=4 large N gauge theory for N=8,10,12 with very high statistics. The development of the first order transition expected in this model at N=infinite is clearly seen in our simulation as a mismatch between strong and weak coupling curves for the plaquette energy. Locating the 'critical' values of #betta# as the intersection of the strong and weak coupling data and extrapolating to N=infinite using a linear fit gives the critical point in the N=infinite theory at #betta#sub(c)=0.66+-0.02. We also discuss the difficulties of measuring Wilson loops in the reduced model and give an estimate of the #betta# parameter for the Wilson action at N=infinite. (orig.)