When does equality hold in Cauchy-Schwarz inequality

Hitman2-2

Homework Statement


Prove that if V is a vector space over [tex]\mathbb{C}^n[/tex] with the standard inner product, then

[tex] |<x,y>| = ||x|| \cdot ||y||[/tex]

implies one of the vectors x or y is a multiple of the other.


The Attempt at a Solution


Assume the identity holds and that y is not zero. Let

[tex] a = \frac {<x,y>} {||y||^2}[/tex]

and let z = x - ay. I've shown that y and z are orthogonal and want to show

[tex] |a| = \frac {||x||} {||y||}[/tex]

Well,

[tex] |a| \cdot ||y|| = \frac {|<x,y>|} {||y||} = \frac {|\sum_{i=1}^n a_i \overline{b_i} |} {\sqrt{\sum_{i=1}^n |b_i|^2}}<br /> = \sqrt{\frac {\left(\sum_{i=1}^n a_i \overline{b_i} \right) \left(\sum_{i=1}^n \overline{a_i} b_i \right)} {\sum_{i=1}^n |b_i|^2} }[/tex]

but now I don't see how to simply this further to get this equal to the norm of x.
 
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Hitman2-2 said:
[tex] |a| \cdot ||y|| = \frac {|<x,y>|} {||y||} = \frac {|\sum_{i=1}^n a_i \overline{b_i} |} {\sqrt{\sum_{i=1}^n |b_i|^2}}<br /> = \sqrt{\frac {\left(\sum_{i=1}^n a_i \overline{b_i} \right) \left(\sum_{i=1}^n \overline{a_i} b_i \right)} {\sum_{i=1}^n |b_i|^2} }[/tex]

but now I don't see how to simply this further to get this equal to the norm of x.

Never mind ... I think I've got it. I've totally neglected that by assumption,

[tex] \frac { | \langle x,y \rangle | } { \| y \| } = \| x \|[/tex]

so then it follows that

[tex] |a| \cdot \| y \| = \| x \|[/tex]

Then since

[tex] \| x \|^2 = \| ay + z \|^2 = \| ay \|^2 + \| z \|^2 \Rightarrow \| z \| = 0[/tex]

the result follows.

Embarassing.
 

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