Definition of hollow matrix

definitionmatrices

Can we call a symmetric matrix with

  1. diagonal entries all zero and
  2. off-diagonal entries greater than or equal to zero,

a hollow matrix?

Another way around: Can a hollow matrix have off-diagonal entries equal to zero (at least one entry)? Or, is that matrix called in a different way?

For example, are both these two matrices, hollow matrices?

$$\begin{vmatrix}
0 & 5 & 0 & 2 \\
5 & 0 & 6 & 1 \\
0 & 6 & 0 & 3 \\
2 & 1 & 3 & 0
\end{vmatrix}, \qquad
\begin{vmatrix}
0 & 5 & 1 & 2 \\
5 & 0 & 6 & 1 \\
1 & 6 & 0 & 3 \\
2 & 1 & 3 & 0
\end{vmatrix}$$

Best Answer

Yes, the two matrices in your question are hollow. However, the definition of a hollow matrix only requires the matrix to be a square one with a zero diagonal. This definition applies to square matrices over any field. It does not require symmetry or entrywise non-negativity. In fact, the values of the off-diagonal entries or the structure of the off-diagonal part are completely irrelevant. As long as the matrix is square and all of its main diagonal elements are zero, it can be called a hollow matrix.

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