The Gleason-Kahane-Zelazko theorem and function algebras (Q2504817)

Summary: A theorem due to \textit{A. Gleason} [J. Anal. Math. 19, 171--172 (1967; Zbl 0148.37502)] and \textit{J. P. Kahane} and \textit{W. Zelazko} [Stud. Math. 29, 339--343 (1968; Zbl 0155.45803)] characterizes continuous characters within the space of all continuous linear forms of a locally multiplicatively convex, sequentially complete algebra. The present paper applies these results to investigate linear isometries of Banach algebras (with particular attention to normal uniform algebras) and of some locally multiplicatively convex algebras. The locally multiplicatively convex algebra of all holomorphic functions on a domain, will be investigated at the end of the paper.