$\sum_i x_i^2 +\sum_i\sum_{i\neq j}B_{ij}x_i x_j \geq 0$?

Question

Let $0\leq B_{ij}\leq 1$. Is it true that $$\sum_i x_i^2 +\sum_i\sum_{i\neq j}B_{ij}x_i x_j \geq 0$$ for $x\in\mathbb{R}^n$? In other words, is the matrix $I+B$ (with $B_{ii}=0$) positive semidefinite?

It is true when $B_{ij}=1$ for $i\neq j$, since $$ \left(\sum_i x_i\right)^2=\sum_i x_i^2 +\sum_i\sum_{i\neq j}x_i x_j \geq 0 $$ but I would like to have a more general result.

Rephrased: "Is $x^t (I + A)x \ge 0$ for $x \in S^n$, where all entries of $A$ are between $0$ and $1$, and $a_{ii} = 0$ for all $i$. — John Hughes, Jun 15 '17 at 18:30
Over what range of $x$? If all of the $x_i$ are non-negative then it's trivially true... — Steven Stadnicki, Jun 15 '17 at 18:31
The magic phrase is 'positive definite' (and 'positive semidefinite') - look for information on positive definite matrices and quadratic forms and you should be able to find useful information. — Steven Stadnicki, Jun 15 '17 at 18:33
@JohnHughes: Yes and all entries on the diagonal of $A$ are 0. — user_lambda, Jun 15 '17 at 18:34
@StevenStadnicki: I know about positive definiteness. I guess my question is: "Is $I+B$ positive semidefinite?" — user_lambda, Jun 15 '17 at 18:35

John Hughes · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-15T18:51:47.103

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No. $$ B = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 0\\ 1 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}\\ x = \begin{bmatrix} 1\\ -1\\ -1 \end{bmatrix} $$ Then $x^t (I+B) x = -1$, if I've calculated correctly.

edited Jun 15 '17 at 18:51

answered Jun 15 '17 at 18:38

John Hughes

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Each $B_{ij}$ must be between 0 and 1. – user_lambda Jun 15 '17 at 18:39
Fixed. Sorry 'bout that! – John Hughes Jun 15 '17 at 18:51
Thanks for the counterexample! – user_lambda Jun 15 '17 at 18:54
Sure. Sorry for swapping the sign condition on $x$ and $A$ earlier. – John Hughes Jun 15 '17 at 19:02

$\sum_i x_i^2 +\sum_i\sum_{i\neq j}B_{ij}x_i x_j \geq 0$?

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