Proximinality in generalized direct sums (Q1777880)

Let \(Y\) be a closed subspace of a Banach space \(X\). \(Y\) is said to be a p roximinal subspace of \(X\) \((Y^p\subset X)\) if for any \(x\in X\) then exists a \(y\in Y\) such that \(\| x-y\|= \text{dist}(x,Y)\). A Banach space \(X\) is said to be a Pollul space (\(P\)-space) if proximinality is transitive for subspaces of finite codimension, i.e. \(Y^p \subset Z\), \(Z^p\subset X\) and both \(Y\) and \(Z\) are of finite codimension imply \(Y^p\subset X\). In the first part of the paper, the authors study proximinal subspaces of finite codimension in generalized direct sums of Banach spaces and in the second part, they study the transitivity of proximinality among subspaces of finite codimension in \(c_0\)-direct sums. Several examples of spaces where transitivity of proximality holds among subspaces of finite codimension are given therby anwering the question: Are there any \(P\)-spaces other than \(c_0\) and the inner product spaces? [Question 2: \textit{V. Indumathi}, J. Approximation Theory 49, 130--143 (1987; Zbl 0621.41024)] in the affirmative.