The Gaussian maximum-likelihood covariance estimate is
For 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 minimizes
Moreover,
Thus is feasible and
For every column,
Finally , and symmetry of gives
This is the basic error bound for the CLIME precision-matrix estimator.