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The $p$-norm of a matrix $A$ for $p \geq 1$ is defined as $\|A\|_p = \max_{ x \in \mathbb{R}^n, \|x\|_p=1} \|Ax\|_p.$ My question: does this equal $ \max_{ x \in \mathbb{C}^n, \|x\|_p=1} \|Ax\|_p$ The only difference is the replacement of $\mathbb R^n$ by $\mathbb C^n$. The answer is certainly yes for $p=1,2,\infty$ and the Wikipedia article on matrix norms appears to imply the answer is yes for any $p$.

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Note that this is not true for the norms $\|A\|_{p,q}$. For example, if $A = \pmatrix{1 & -1\cr 1 & 1\cr}$, $\max_{x \in {\mathbb R}^2: \|x\|_\infty = 1} \|A x\|_1 = 2$ but $x = \pmatrix{1\cr i\cr}$ has $\|x\|_\infty = 1$ and $\|Ax\|_1 = 2 \sqrt{2}$.

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If the entries of $A$ are not all real, the answer may be no. For example, consider the $2 \times 1$ matrix $A = (1 \ i)$ with $p=2$. $\max_{x \in {\mathbb C}^2, \|x\|_2 = 1} \|Ax\|_2 = \sqrt{2}$ but $\max_{x \in {\mathbb R}^2, \|x\|_2 = 1} \|Ax\|_2 = 1$

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    Actually I removed that claim, because I don't see a way to prove it.2012-02-01
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Have you considered looking at the wikipedia article on Matrix norm? I guess your answer is well written there. In any case, if not, then yes, it is true regardless of whether $x$ is over $\mathbb{R}^n$ or $\mathbb{C}^n$.

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    $T$he wikipedia article does seem to imply the two are equal, but is there an argument there to that effect? If so, I must be overlooking it.2012-01-28