The approximation property in terms of the approximability of weak\(^*\)-weak continuous operators. (Q1414229)

The authors prove the equivalence of the approximation property of a Banach space \(X\) with each of the three following metric conditions (1), (2) and \((3)\). \((1)\) and \((2)\) say that for every Banach space \(Y\) and every weak\(^* \)-weak continuous and weakly compact operator \(T: X^* \to Y\), there exists a net \((T_\alpha)\) of a finite rank weak\(^* \)-weak continuous operators form \(X^*\) to \(Y\) with \(\sup_{\alpha} \| T_\alpha \| \leq \| T \| \) such that, for condition \((1)\): \(T_\alpha^* \to T^*\) in the strong operator topology; for condition \((2)\): \(T_\alpha \to T\) in the strong operator topology; \((3)\) says that for every reflexive Banach space \(Y\) and for every weak\(^* \)-weak continuous compact operator \(T: X^* \to Y\) there exists a bounded net \((T_\alpha)\) of finite rank weak\(^*\)-weak continuous operators from \(X^*\) to \(Y\) such that \(T_\alpha \to T\) in the strong operator topology. As one application, the authors give a simple proof of a theorem of Grothendieck giving characterizations of approximation property. As another application, the authors give metric conditions equivalent to the approximation property of \(X^*\). The paper concludes with open problems related to the presented results.