Maximization and minimization of the rank and inertia of the Hermitian matrix expression \(A-BX-(BX)^{*}\) with applications (Q632460)

The author gives a group of closed-form formulas for the maximal and minimal ranks and inertias of the linear Hermitian matrix function \(A-BX-(BX)^{*}\) with respect to a variable matrix \(X\). As applications, he derives the extremal ranks and inertias of the matrices \(X\pm X^{*}\), where \(X\) is a solution to the matrix equation \(AXB=C\), and then he gives necessary and sufficient conditions for the matrix equation \(AXB=C\) to have Hermitian, definite and re-definite solutions. In addition, he gives closed-form formulas for the extremal ranks and inertias of the difference \(X_{1}-X_{2}\), where \(X_{1}\) and \(X_{2}\) are Hermitian solutions of the two matrix equations \(A_1 X_1 A_1^* = C_1\) and \(A_2 X_2 A_2^* = C_2\), and then uses the formulas to characterize relations between Hermitian solutions of the two equations.