On the supremal \(p\)-negative type of finite metric spaces (Q663687)

A metric space \((X,d)\) is said to have \(p\)-negative type, where \(p\geq 0\), if (and only if) for all natural numbers \(k\geq 2\), all finite subsets \(\{x_1,\dots, x_k\}\subset X\), and all choices of real numbers \(\alpha_1,\dots,\alpha_k\) satisfying \(\alpha_1+\dots+\alpha_k=0\) the inequality \(\sum_{1\leq i,j\leq k} d(x_i , x_j)^p\alpha_i\alpha_j\leq 0\) holds. The supremal \(p\)-negative type of a metric space \((X,d)\) is defined as \(\sup\{p: (X,d)\) has \(p\)-negative type\(\}\). The \(p\)-distance matrix of \((X,d)\) is defined as \([d(x_i,x_j)^p]_{i,j}\). The author finds a formula for the supremal \(p\)-negative type of a finite metric space in terms of its \(p\)-distance matrix. He uses the formula to compute the supremal \(p\)-negative type of complete bipartite graphs with their shortest path metrics.