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51 votes
2 answers
5k views

A strengthening of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality

Suppose $\mathbf{v},\mathbf{w} \in \mathbb{R}^n$ (and if it helps, you can assume they each have non-negative entries), and let $\mathbf{v}^2,\mathbf{w}^2$ denote the vectors whose entries are the ...
Nathaniel Johnston's user avatar
35 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is it consistent with ZF that $V \to V^{\ast \ast}$ is always an isomorphism?

Let $k$ be a field and $V$ a $k$-vector space. Then there is a map $V \to V^{\ast \ast}$, where $V^{\ast}$ is the dual vector space. If we are in ZFC and $\dim V$ is infinite, then this map is not ...
David E Speyer's user avatar
26 votes
2 answers
1k views

Symmetric strengthening of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality

In this great question by Nathaniel Johnston, and in its answers, we can learn the following remarkable inequality: For all $v,w \in \mathbb{R}^n$ we have \begin{align*} \|v^2\| \, \|w^2\| - \langle ...
Jochen Glueck's user avatar
25 votes
16 answers
4k views

functions satisfying "one-one iff onto"

Hello Everybody. I need some more examples for the following really interesting phenomenon: A function from the class ... is one-one iff it is onto. Some ...
21 votes
2 answers
1k views

Closed subspaces of Banach spaces

Is it true that, assuming the Axiom of Choice, every infinite-dimensional Banach space has an infinite-dimensional closed subspace with infinite codimension? Note that this is different from the ...
Bruce Blackadar's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
2k views

Almost commuting unitary matrices

Suppose that $A_1,\dots, A_k$ are unitary matrices such that any two of them can be approximated by commuting unitary matrices. i.e. for any $i$ and $j$, there are unitary matrices $A_i'$ and $A_j'$ ...
Omid Hatami's user avatar
20 votes
7 answers
5k views

Why do infinite-dimensional vector spaces usually have additional structure?

On Mathematics Stack Exchange, I asked the following question: Why are infinite-dimensional vector spaces usually equipped with additional structure? Although it received one good answer, I feel that ...
Joe Lamond's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
1k views

Example of a space for which $V \cong Hom(V,V)$

Let $V$ be a topological linear space, and let $\operatorname{Hom}(V,V)$ be the space of continuous linear maps from $V$ back to $V$, equipped with a suitable topology. Is there a non-trivial ...
Tom LaGatta's user avatar
  • 8,512
18 votes
1 answer
1k views

Commuting unitaries

Is the following true: For every unit vectors $x_1,..., x_n$, $y_1,..., y_n$ in $\mathbb{C}^k$ there exist a Hilbert space $H$, unitary operators $U_1,...,U_n$ and $V_1,...,V_n$ in $B(H)$ and unit ...
Kate Juschenko's user avatar
17 votes
1 answer
1k views

How many values determine a norm?

It is well known that for a bilinear form over an n-dimensional vector space, $n^2$ values (on all pairs of basis-vectors) determine it uniquely. How many values do we need to specify in order to ...
Asaf Shachar's user avatar
  • 6,741
17 votes
3 answers
905 views

Existence of translation-invariant basis on $C_c(\mathbb R)$

Consider the space $C_c(\mathbb R)$ of complex-valued continuous functions of compact support. This is a vector space over $\mathbb C$, and I am not considering any topology, so the question is ...
Nick S's user avatar
  • 2,071
16 votes
3 answers
791 views

Random products of projections: bounds on convergence rate?

The von Neumann-Halperin [vN,H] theorem shows that iterating a fixed product of projection operators converges to the projector onto the intersection subspace of the individual projectors. A good ...
Martin Schwarz's user avatar
16 votes
1 answer
537 views

Balls in Hilbert space

I recently noticed an interesting fact which leads to a perhaps difficult question. If $n$ is a natural number, let $k_n$ be the smallest number $k$ such that an open ball of radius $k$ in a real ...
Bruce Blackadar's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
915 views

Topological vector spaces (reference request)

In his book Topological Function Spaces Arhangel'skii says that "it is well known that every nontrivial locally convex linear topological space $X$ is homeomorphic to a space of the form $Y \...
Peluso's user avatar
  • 674
13 votes
2 answers
653 views

The geometry of $\mathbb{R}^n$

Let $X,Y$ be finite-dimensional real normed spaces. Consider the set of linear operators $L(X,Y)$ between the two spaces. Then we define the set of equivalence classes $$G(X,Y):=\left\{[T]; T,S \in ...
Sascha's user avatar
  • 536
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

An inequality for the spectral radius of matrices used by J. Bochi

I am interested in the history of an inequality for the spectral radius of a $d\times d$ real or complex matrix, which occurs in Jairo Bochi's 2002 article Inequalities for numerical invariants of ...
Ian Morris's user avatar
  • 6,206
13 votes
2 answers
1k views

A matrix norm inequality

Suppose that $A, B$ are Hermitian positive definite matrices of the same order and $0\le p\le 1$. Using a standard approach in matrix analysis, one can show that $\|A^{1-p}B^p\|\ge \|A\sharp_p B\|$, ...
M. Lin's user avatar
  • 1,748
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

A generalization of the Powers-Stormer inequality

The well-known Powers-Stormer inequality says the following: for positive semidefinite operators $A, B$, we have that $\mathrm{Tr}((A - B)(A - B)) \leq \| A^2 - B^2 \|_1$, where $\| \cdot \|_1$ ...
Henry Yuen's user avatar
  • 2,019
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Matrix inequality $(A-B)^2 \leq c (A+B)^2$ ?

Let A and B be positive semidefinite matrices. It is not hard to see that $(A-B)^2 \leq 2A^2 + 2B^2$. In fact, $2A^2 + 2B^2 - (A-B)^2 = (A+B)^2$ is positive semidefinite. My question is: Is there a ...
Omar's user avatar
  • 123
12 votes
3 answers
3k views

elementwise functions of positive definite matrix

The fact that the Schur (that is, element wise) product of two positive definite (symmetric) matrices is positive definite immediately implies (using the convexity of the positive semi definite cone) ...
Igor Rivin's user avatar
  • 96.4k
12 votes
4 answers
1k views

Topologizing free abelian groups

For any set $S$ one can consider the free abelian group $\mathbb{Z}[S]$ generated by this set. Now suppose, there is a topology on $S$ given. Is it possible to find a topology on $\mathbb{Z}[S]$ in ...
HenrikRüping's user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
2k views

Analogue of Cayley Hamilton theorem for operators on Hilbert space

Is there an analogue of Cayley Hamilton theorem which holds for operators on a separable Hilbert space. Obviously the characteristic polynomial will be replaced by something else.
Benjamin's user avatar
  • 2,099
12 votes
1 answer
229 views

History of publication of von Neumann's characterization of orthogonally invariant matrix norms

Von Neumann has a result (rather well-known in convex analysis circles) which states that every orthogonally invariant matrix norm (meaning $\| P M Q\| = \| M \|,$ for any orthogonal $P, Q$) is a ...
Igor Rivin's user avatar
  • 96.4k
12 votes
1 answer
2k views

Comparing Krein-Rutman theorem and Perron–Frobenius theorem

Krein–Rutman theorem is a generalization of Perron–Frobenius theorem, I know that things could be more subtle in infinite dimension, yet there's an important result in Perron–Frobenius that's missing ...
Sylvan's user avatar
  • 273
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Decomposition of positive definite matrices.

It is known that a $n^2 \times n^2$ positive semidefinite matrix $A$ cannot always be written as a finite sum $$ A=\sum_{j} B_j \otimes C_j $$ with $B_j$ and $C_j$ positive semidefinite matrices (of ...
Ruben A. Martinez-Avendano's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

Operator that commutes with projections

We investigate the Hilbert space $\ell^2(\mathbb{N}_0)$ with standard orthonormal basis vectors $e_n:=(0,...,0,1,0,...).$ Consider the family of self-adjoint rank $1$ projections $P_n\bullet:= \...
Sascha's user avatar
  • 536
11 votes
2 answers
714 views

A neat evaluation of an infinite matrix?

Let $M_n$ be an $n\times n$ matrix defined as $$M_n =\left[\frac{2i+1}{2(i+j+1)}\binom{i-1/2}i\binom{j-1/2}jx^{i+j+1}\right]_{i,j=0}^n.$$ With $I_n$ the identity matrix, consider $A_n:=I_n-M_n^2$. ...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
337 views

What are the predictive implications of conditional non-commutative probability?

To simplify things, let's consider the Hilbert approach to quantum probability over a finite dimensional vector space $V$ of dimension $n$. In this context a state $S$ is a positive semi-definite ...
Mehmet Coen's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
338 views

Does $End(V)$ remember $V$, where $V$ is a locally convex space?

Let $V$ be a locally convex topological vector space over $\mathbb C$, and let $A=\mathrm{End}(V)$ be its algebra of continuous linear endomorphisms (viewed just as a $\mathbb{C}$-algebra, not as a ...
André Henriques's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
953 views

Is there always a complete, orthogonal set of unitary matrices?

The set of size-$n$ unitary matrices span $\Bbb C^{n \times n}$ (this can be proven nicely using polar decomposition). If we select a maximal linear subset of unitary matrices, then we have a basis ...
Ben Grossmann's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
401 views

Horn's inequalities for n matrices

Where I can find necessary and sufficient conditions on eigenvalues of Hermitian matrices with the relation $$A_1 + A_2 + ... + A_n = A_0 ,$$ i.e. Horn's inequalities for n matrices? Can such ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 1,318
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

polynomials with minimal $L_\infty$ norm on multiple disjoint intervals

It is well-known that Chebyshev polynomials are the polynomials of minimal $L_\infty$ norm on [-1,1] with leading coefficient 1. But what if you want the minimal $L_\infty$ polynomial on two disjoint ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 223
9 votes
1 answer
708 views

Hilbert spaces are induced by a bilinear form. How about n-linear forms?

A Hilbert space is a complete vector space equipped with scalar product, i.e. a symmetric positive definite bilinear form. What if we replace 'bilinear' by 'n-linear'? One might wonder, whether the $...
shuhalo's user avatar
  • 5,327
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Rescaling positive definite matrices to force a unit eigenvector

Hello, Let $X'X$ be a positive definite matrix and let $\mathbf{1}$ denote the vector of ones. I'm hoping to construct a positive, diagonal matrix $W$ such that $$(W X'X W) \mathbf{1} = \mathbf{1}$$...
David Bryant's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
511 views

Do these surfaces intersect?

For any real numbers $a_{1},a_{2},\cdots a_{6}$ and $b_{1},b_{2},\cdots b_{6}$ with $\sum_{i=1}^{6}a_{i}^{2}=1$ and $\sum_{i=1}^{6}b_{i}^{2}=1$, does the equation $$ x_{1}^{2}x_{2}^{2}x_{3}^{2}x_{4}^{...
mathers1's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
291 views

What are the points of the algebra of polynomial functions on an arbitrary vector space?

Let $V$ be an arbitrary vector space over some field $\mathbb{K}$ (UPD: of characteristic 0), $V^*=\mathrm{Hom}(V,\mathbb{K})$ its linear dual. Let $\mathrm{Sym}_\mathbb{K}(V^*)$ be the free ...
Dima Roytenberg's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
598 views

Trouble with Jordan form of the truncated Carleman-matrix for $\sin(x)$ as size $n$ goes to infinity

I'm currently trying to get familiar with the Jordan normal form for matrices; and after some example I ask for the possible Jordan-form for the Carleman matrix for the function $f(x) = \sin(x)$ when ...
Gottfried Helms's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
978 views

Strong convexity of the trace of the square root of a matrix function

Any clues about how to prove that the following function is strongly-concave in $x$? (We conjecture it is $2$-strongly concave but cannot prove it. We have already proved strict concavity through ...
Mary's user avatar
  • 91
8 votes
3 answers
1k views

Relating a Polynomial equation to the characteristic equation of a Hermitian matrix

This question arose out of mere curiosity. Given a polynomial equation and I happen to know that its roots are real (but not the roots itself). Does it mean it is the characteristic equation of a ...
dineshdileep's user avatar
  • 1,421
8 votes
3 answers
526 views

Lower bound for spectral radius on $\operatorname{GL}(n,\mathbb{Z})$

Consider the group of matrices $G =\operatorname{GL}(n,\mathbb{Z})$ with integer entries and determinant $\pm 1$. For each matrix $D \in G$, the product of the eigenvalues of $D$ is equal to $\det D =\...
Liam Baker's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
5k views

When is spectral norm of AB equal to that of BA?

I have $A^{1/2} B A^{1/2} \preceq I$ for two PSD matrices $A$ and $B$, and I'd like to know if that implies $\|AB\|_2 \leq 1.$ The argument I was using to show this is that for any two square ...
AatG's user avatar
  • 922
8 votes
1 answer
678 views

Inequality involving tensor product of orthonormal unit vectors

Let $e_1,...,e_r$ be the first $r$ standard basis of $\mathbb{R}^n, r<n$. Let $u_1,...,u_n$ be another orthonormal basis of $\mathbb{R}^n$. Let $\otimes$ be the tensor product on $\mathbb{R}^n$ and ...
neverevernever's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
691 views

Commutant of the conjugations by unitary matrices

Let $\mathcal{L}(\mathbb{C}^{n \times n})$ denote the algebra of all linear mappings from $\mathbb{C}^{n \times n}$ to $\mathbb{C}^{n \times n}$ and let $\mathcal{C} \subseteq \mathcal{L}(\mathbb{C}^{...
Jochen Glueck's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
576 views

On the definition of Hilbert spaces and real structures on Hilbert spaces

Let us consider the space $L^2:=L^2(\mathbb{R}^n,\mathbb{C})$ and the associated scalar product $S(f,g):=\int f \overline g$. In distribution theory, we have a situation where we have to deal with two ...
LCO's user avatar
  • 506
8 votes
1 answer
172 views

Distance between subalgebras and positive elements in matrices

I repost here from stackexchange, as I was not given an answer there. (https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/2956530/distance-between-subalgebras-and-commutants-in-matrix-algebras) This is a ...
Alessandro Vignati's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
353 views

$E_n(\ell^\infty)=SL_n(\ell^\infty)$?

Let $R$ be a commutative unital ring $R$ with unit element $1$. For $n\in \mathbb{N}=\{1,2,3,\cdots\}$, let $SL_n(R)$ be the group of all $n\times n$ matrices with entries from $R$ having ...
KevinC's user avatar
  • 81
8 votes
1 answer
446 views

Parallelogram law for vectors of equal length

Does the parallelogram law for vectors of equal length imply the full parallelogram law? That is, if for all norm one vectors $x$ and $y$ in a Banach space $X$ it holds that $\lVert x-y\rVert^2+\lVert ...
Markus's user avatar
  • 1,361
8 votes
2 answers
323 views

Matrix rescaling increases lowest eigenvalue?

Consider the set $\mathbf{N}:=\left\{1,2,....,N \right\}$ and let $$\mathbf M:=\left\{ M_i; M_i \subset \mathbf N \text{ such that } \left\lvert M_i \right\rvert=2 \text{ or }\left\lvert M_i \right\...
André's user avatar
  • 225
8 votes
1 answer
386 views

Lower bound for $\frac{\sum_{i,j}\min((f_i-f_j)^2,(g_i-g_j)^2)}{\sum_{i,j}\max((f_i-f_j)^2,(g_i-g_j)^2)}$

Let $f\in\mathbb{R}^n$ and $g\in\mathbb{R}^n$ be two orthogonal unit vectors such that $\sum_{i}{f_i}=\sum_{i}{g_i}=0$. Question. Can we prove this? $$\frac{\sum_{\{i,j\}}\min((f_i-f_j)^2,(g_i-...
j.s.'s user avatar
  • 519
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Spectra of a Symmetric Toeplitz Operator

For a physics application, I would like to be able to compute the eigenvalues of the linear operator (acting on the Hilbert space $\ell^2$) given by an infinite matrix of the form $\begin{bmatrix} ...
jschn's user avatar
  • 81

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