A triangle inequality in Hilbert modules over matrix algebras (Q5957183)

Let \(A\) be a square matrix over the real or complex numbers, or the quaternions. In each case, define \(|M|\) to be the unique positive semidefinite square root of \(M^*M\). It is shown that there is a triangle inequality of the form \(|A+B|\leq U^*|A|U+V^*|B|V\) for unitary matrices \(U,V\), thus extending a result of \textit{R. C. Thompson} [Pac. J. Mat. 66, 285-290 (1976; Zbl 0361.15014)] for complex matrices. The triangle inequality is extended to sequences of matrices and hence to Hilbert modules over real or complex \(C*\)-algebras.