Matrix extremal problems and shift invariant means (Q2174413)

Given an $m$-tuple $\mathbf{a}=a_1, \dots, a_m$ of nonnegative real numbers, the set of $m \times m$ real symmetric matrices $M_{\mathbf{a}}(x)$ with main diagonal $\mathbf{a}$ and $x$ in all off-diagonal positions is considered. The set of those $x$ for which $M_{\mathbf{a}}(x)$ is positive definite is characterized in terms of the unique negative root of the polynomial $\det M_{\mathbf{a}}(x)$, and of the smallest positive one. New multivariate means of positive real numbers and of infinite variables are also derived. The obtained invariant mean under the shift operator on bounded sequences is of special interest.