I How can I test for positive semi-definiteness in matrices?

Trollfaz
Messages
143
Reaction score
14
On a side note I'm posting on PF more frequently as I have exams coming and I need some help to understand some concepts. After my exams I will probably go inactive for a while.
So I'll get to the point. Suppose we have a matrix A and I wish to check if it is positive semi definite. So one easy way is to see if all it's eigenvalues are ##\ge 0##.
Another way is to test using the definition of PSD
$$v^T Av\ge 0\ v \in R^n$$
But sometimes things get really messy when I try to test a matrix with arbitrary parameters say I'm testing ##\triangledown ^2 f(x)## for PSD to check if f(x) is convex. Is there any other ways to prove for PSD in a matrix
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you have a specific example of a problem you're stuck trying to solve? I don't think there's any general principle beyond what you listed but an example might spark some specific insight or just help demonstrate how to use the definition to check.
 
Thread 'Derivation of equations of stress tensor transformation'
Hello ! I derived equations of stress tensor 2D transformation. Some details: I have plane ABCD in two cases (see top on the pic) and I know tensor components for case 1 only. Only plane ABCD rotate in two cases (top of the picture) but not coordinate system. Coordinate system rotates only on the bottom of picture. I want to obtain expression that connects tensor for case 1 and tensor for case 2. My attempt: Are these equations correct? Is there more easier expression for stress tensor...
Back
Top