Necessary and sufficient condition for quadratic forms











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Consider the quadratic form $Q(u,v)=au^2 + 2buv +cv^2$. Upon completing the square we will obtain $$Q(u,v)=aleft(u+frac{bv}{a}right)^2+left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)v^2,$$
we assume that $ane 0$.



There is a theorem which says that




A set of necessary and sufficient conditions that $Q(u,v)$ be positive for all nontrivial $u$ and $v$ is that
$$a>0, text{ } left|begin{matrix}
a & b\
b & c
end{matrix}right|>0$$




However, what if $a>0$ but $left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0$? Then either $c$ is negative or $c<frac{b^2}{a}$. Why wouldn't this satisfy $Q(u,v)$ as being positive?



This is also equivalent to



$$ac-b^2>0 text{ (1)}$$
$$ac-b^2<0 text{ (2)}$$



with (1) implying that $c>0$ whenever $a>0$ but $ac$ can also be positive when $a<0$ and $c<0$ and $ac>b^2$. Likewise, (2) can also be negative when $a,c>0$ and $ac<b^2$.



What is it that I'm missing here?










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    Consider the quadratic form $Q(u,v)=au^2 + 2buv +cv^2$. Upon completing the square we will obtain $$Q(u,v)=aleft(u+frac{bv}{a}right)^2+left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)v^2,$$
    we assume that $ane 0$.



    There is a theorem which says that




    A set of necessary and sufficient conditions that $Q(u,v)$ be positive for all nontrivial $u$ and $v$ is that
    $$a>0, text{ } left|begin{matrix}
    a & b\
    b & c
    end{matrix}right|>0$$




    However, what if $a>0$ but $left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0$? Then either $c$ is negative or $c<frac{b^2}{a}$. Why wouldn't this satisfy $Q(u,v)$ as being positive?



    This is also equivalent to



    $$ac-b^2>0 text{ (1)}$$
    $$ac-b^2<0 text{ (2)}$$



    with (1) implying that $c>0$ whenever $a>0$ but $ac$ can also be positive when $a<0$ and $c<0$ and $ac>b^2$. Likewise, (2) can also be negative when $a,c>0$ and $ac<b^2$.



    What is it that I'm missing here?










    share|cite|improve this question
























      up vote
      0
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      0
      down vote

      favorite











      Consider the quadratic form $Q(u,v)=au^2 + 2buv +cv^2$. Upon completing the square we will obtain $$Q(u,v)=aleft(u+frac{bv}{a}right)^2+left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)v^2,$$
      we assume that $ane 0$.



      There is a theorem which says that




      A set of necessary and sufficient conditions that $Q(u,v)$ be positive for all nontrivial $u$ and $v$ is that
      $$a>0, text{ } left|begin{matrix}
      a & b\
      b & c
      end{matrix}right|>0$$




      However, what if $a>0$ but $left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0$? Then either $c$ is negative or $c<frac{b^2}{a}$. Why wouldn't this satisfy $Q(u,v)$ as being positive?



      This is also equivalent to



      $$ac-b^2>0 text{ (1)}$$
      $$ac-b^2<0 text{ (2)}$$



      with (1) implying that $c>0$ whenever $a>0$ but $ac$ can also be positive when $a<0$ and $c<0$ and $ac>b^2$. Likewise, (2) can also be negative when $a,c>0$ and $ac<b^2$.



      What is it that I'm missing here?










      share|cite|improve this question













      Consider the quadratic form $Q(u,v)=au^2 + 2buv +cv^2$. Upon completing the square we will obtain $$Q(u,v)=aleft(u+frac{bv}{a}right)^2+left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)v^2,$$
      we assume that $ane 0$.



      There is a theorem which says that




      A set of necessary and sufficient conditions that $Q(u,v)$ be positive for all nontrivial $u$ and $v$ is that
      $$a>0, text{ } left|begin{matrix}
      a & b\
      b & c
      end{matrix}right|>0$$




      However, what if $a>0$ but $left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0$? Then either $c$ is negative or $c<frac{b^2}{a}$. Why wouldn't this satisfy $Q(u,v)$ as being positive?



      This is also equivalent to



      $$ac-b^2>0 text{ (1)}$$
      $$ac-b^2<0 text{ (2)}$$



      with (1) implying that $c>0$ whenever $a>0$ but $ac$ can also be positive when $a<0$ and $c<0$ and $ac>b^2$. Likewise, (2) can also be negative when $a,c>0$ and $ac<b^2$.



      What is it that I'm missing here?







      linear-algebra optimization quadratic-forms






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      asked Nov 22 at 18:30









      sequence

      4,19331135




      4,19331135






















          2 Answers
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          active

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          up vote
          1
          down vote



          accepted










          when $a > 0$ but $c - frac {b^2}{a} < 0,$ test with pair
          $$ u = -b, ; ; v = a . $$
          Then
          $$ a u^2 + 2 b u v + c v^2 = a b^2 - 2 b b a + c a^2 = ca^2 - a b^2 = a(ca-b^2) < 0 $$






          share|cite|improve this answer




























            up vote
            0
            down vote













            Note indeed that the condition



            $$left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0 iff ac-b^2<0$$



            is the opposite of



            $$left|begin{matrix}
            a & b\
            b & c
            end{matrix}right|>0 iff ac-b^2>0$$






            share|cite|improve this answer





















            • Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
              – sequence
              Nov 22 at 18:45










            • @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
              – gimusi
              Nov 22 at 18:50










            • Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
              – sequence
              Nov 22 at 18:53












            • @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
              – gimusi
              Nov 22 at 18:56












            • $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
              – sequence
              Nov 22 at 18:58











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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            1
            down vote



            accepted










            when $a > 0$ but $c - frac {b^2}{a} < 0,$ test with pair
            $$ u = -b, ; ; v = a . $$
            Then
            $$ a u^2 + 2 b u v + c v^2 = a b^2 - 2 b b a + c a^2 = ca^2 - a b^2 = a(ca-b^2) < 0 $$






            share|cite|improve this answer

























              up vote
              1
              down vote



              accepted










              when $a > 0$ but $c - frac {b^2}{a} < 0,$ test with pair
              $$ u = -b, ; ; v = a . $$
              Then
              $$ a u^2 + 2 b u v + c v^2 = a b^2 - 2 b b a + c a^2 = ca^2 - a b^2 = a(ca-b^2) < 0 $$






              share|cite|improve this answer























                up vote
                1
                down vote



                accepted







                up vote
                1
                down vote



                accepted






                when $a > 0$ but $c - frac {b^2}{a} < 0,$ test with pair
                $$ u = -b, ; ; v = a . $$
                Then
                $$ a u^2 + 2 b u v + c v^2 = a b^2 - 2 b b a + c a^2 = ca^2 - a b^2 = a(ca-b^2) < 0 $$






                share|cite|improve this answer












                when $a > 0$ but $c - frac {b^2}{a} < 0,$ test with pair
                $$ u = -b, ; ; v = a . $$
                Then
                $$ a u^2 + 2 b u v + c v^2 = a b^2 - 2 b b a + c a^2 = ca^2 - a b^2 = a(ca-b^2) < 0 $$







                share|cite|improve this answer












                share|cite|improve this answer



                share|cite|improve this answer










                answered Nov 22 at 19:25









                Will Jagy

                101k598198




                101k598198






















                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote













                    Note indeed that the condition



                    $$left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0 iff ac-b^2<0$$



                    is the opposite of



                    $$left|begin{matrix}
                    a & b\
                    b & c
                    end{matrix}right|>0 iff ac-b^2>0$$






                    share|cite|improve this answer





















                    • Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:45










                    • @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:50










                    • Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:53












                    • @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:56












                    • $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:58















                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote













                    Note indeed that the condition



                    $$left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0 iff ac-b^2<0$$



                    is the opposite of



                    $$left|begin{matrix}
                    a & b\
                    b & c
                    end{matrix}right|>0 iff ac-b^2>0$$






                    share|cite|improve this answer





















                    • Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:45










                    • @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:50










                    • Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:53












                    • @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:56












                    • $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:58













                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    Note indeed that the condition



                    $$left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0 iff ac-b^2<0$$



                    is the opposite of



                    $$left|begin{matrix}
                    a & b\
                    b & c
                    end{matrix}right|>0 iff ac-b^2>0$$






                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    Note indeed that the condition



                    $$left(c-frac{b^2}{a}right)<0 iff ac-b^2<0$$



                    is the opposite of



                    $$left|begin{matrix}
                    a & b\
                    b & c
                    end{matrix}right|>0 iff ac-b^2>0$$







                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 22 at 18:40









                    gimusi

                    92.7k94495




                    92.7k94495












                    • Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:45










                    • @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:50










                    • Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:53












                    • @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:56












                    • $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:58


















                    • Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:45










                    • @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:50










                    • Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:53












                    • @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                      – gimusi
                      Nov 22 at 18:56












                    • $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                      – sequence
                      Nov 22 at 18:58
















                    Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:45




                    Yes, but why can't $a>0$ in the first case if $c<frac{b^2}{a}$?
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:45












                    @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                    – gimusi
                    Nov 22 at 18:50




                    @sequence Yes it can be but in that case (a=1, b=2, c=1) the quadratic forms is not positive definite.
                    – gimusi
                    Nov 22 at 18:50












                    Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:53






                    Yes, but it is negative definite. The theorem above says that $a$ is necessarily negative for the negative definite case. But it doesn't have to be, or does it? @gimusi
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:53














                    @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                    – gimusi
                    Nov 22 at 18:56






                    @sequence No in that case it is indefinite since in some "directions" $Q>0$ and in others $Q<0$. Indeed in that case the associated matrix has $lambda_1>0$ and $lambda_2<0$.
                    – gimusi
                    Nov 22 at 18:56














                    $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:58




                    $a,b,c,d$ are assumed to be fixed constants. @gimusi
                    – sequence
                    Nov 22 at 18:58


















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