On the spectral properties of nonsingular matrices that are strictly sign-regular for some order with applications to totally positive discrete-time systems (Q2414839)

The authors investigate spectral properties for nonsingular strictly sign regular matrices, i.e., matrices having $k$-minors with the same sign. Of particular interest are those that are sign regular (totally positive or totally negative for all $k$); their spectral set is real and a sign variation property characterizes such matrices. Using these properties the authors study discrete-time dynamical systems in ${\mathbb{R}}^n$: $x(i+1)=A(i)x(i)$, where $A(i)$ is an $n\times n$ real matrix. Under a totally positive assumption it is proved that any solution converges to an equilibrium point. This relates to continuous-time totally positive dynamical systems introduced in [\textit{B. Schwarz}, Pacific J. Math. 32, 203--229 (1970; Zbl 0193.04501); \textit{J. Smillie}, SIAM J. Math. Anal. 15, 530--534 (1984; Zbl 0546.34007)].