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Consider a matrix $P\in \mathbb{R}^{n\times n}$ such that at most $m<n$ elements of each column are non zero and $P$ is symmetric. I would like to find the sufficient condition(s) such that $P^{-1}$ is positive definite. Given the positions of non zero elements in $P$ what are their values such that $P$ is positive definite.

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    $\begingroup$ do you need $P^{-1}$ to be sparse? Otherwise it is trivial... $\endgroup$ Mar 31, 2016 at 20:06
  • $\begingroup$ I need specific elements of $P$ to be non zero, Jacobi Rotations on a positive definite diagonal matrix might work as user251257 said. $\endgroup$
    – Cauchy
    Apr 1, 2016 at 1:54

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If $P$ is an invertible real symmetric matrix, $P^{-1}$ is positive definite iff $P$ is positive definite. There are many equivalent conditions to positive definiteness.

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  • $\begingroup$ That is true but not sufficient for the sparsity . So How do I generate a positive definite sparse symmetric matrix? $\endgroup$
    – Cauchy
    Mar 31, 2016 at 6:43
  • $\begingroup$ @Cauchy: Google is your friend. Apply random Jacobi Rotations on a positive definite diagonal matrix... $\endgroup$
    – user251257
    Mar 31, 2016 at 14:55

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