# If the numerical equivalence of cycles coincides with the homological one, does the Hodge standard conjecture follow?

Suppose that over an algebraically closed field $K$ of finite characteristic the numerical equivalence of cycles relation (for algebraic cycles of smooth projective varieties) coincides with the homological one (with respect to etale $\mathbb{Q}_l$-adic cohomology). Does the Hodge standard conjecture follow? Moreover, does it follow from the existence of a 'nice' motivic $t$-structure for Voevodsky's motives over $K$ (i.e. we assume that this $t$-structure 'splits' Chow motives into 'numerical pieces', and that mixed motives have filtration 'by these pieces'). If the answer (even) to the second question is 'no', then why does one usually believe in the HSC?

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I would be surprised if the Hodge standard conjecture would follow from the others (which is not to say that it doesn't). This conjecture is true in char $0$ by Hodge theory. Perhaps that and a general sense of optimism, at the time, were sufficient, but I'm just speculating. –  Donu Arapura Jan 23 '11 at 17:35