Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 205 2 Solution 2026-10-03
The Gaussian maximum-likelihood covariance estimate isFor each ,so . If is square and symmetric, its maximum row sum equals its maximum column sum, and the same calculation gives
Both the objective and the constraints separate by columns. Replacing one column of a global minimizer by a better feasible column would improve the global objective. Therefore each minimizesMoreover,Thus is feasible andFor every column,Finally , and symmetry of givesThis is the basic error bound for the CLIME precision-matrix estimator.