Linear interpolation problems for matrix classes and a transformational characterization of \(M\)-matrices (Q5940025)

The notion of sign-related vectors which gives a transformational characterization of \(P\)-matrices is refined to the concept of doubly sign-related vectors. One obtains a transformational characterization of \(M\)-matrices, i.e. of \(P\)-matrices (matrices with positive principal minors) with nonpositive off-diagonal entries. Theorem 1 states that \(A\in \mathbb{R}^{n \times n}\) is an \(M\)-matrix if and only if for any \(x\in \mathbb{R}^n \setminus \{0\}\), \(x\) and \(Ax\) are doubly sign-related. This result is used to solve the linear interpolation problem (LIP) for \(M\)-matrices, where the LIP for a class \({\mathcal C}\) of matrices asks for which pairs of vectors \(x,y\) there exists \(A\in {\mathcal C}\) such that \(Ax=y\). The LIP is also solved for \(P\)-matrices, \(H^+\)-matrices and \(H\)-matrices and the fact that there is no transformational characterization for \(H\)-matrices and \(H^+\)-matrices is derived.