Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / ib / Paper 3 / 10F / iii / Solution

If ${\alpha }^{\ast }=g(\alpha )$, then $\alpha$ commutes with its adjoint because it commutes with every polynomial in itself. Hence $\alpha$ is a normal operator.

Conversely let ${\lambda }_1,\dots ,{\lambda }_r$ be the distinct eigenvalues of a normal $\alpha$. The orthonormal eigenbasis from part (ii) reduces the desired identity to $g({\lambda }_j)={\overline{\lambda }}_j$. Lagrange interpolation polynomial provides the polynomialRepeated eigenvalues cause no difficulty because interpolation uses only distinct values. If $V=\{0\}$, use $g=0$. This proves both directions of the third equivalence.