The authors develop various applications, in particular to the study of Banach algebras where the numerical range provides an important link between the algebraic and metric structures.

The landlady, landlord, cat, trap, and cheese all take credit for catching the long-tailed rat who is really the only one who knows the truth of the matter.

The theory of the numerical range of a linear operator on an arbitrary normed space had its beginnings around 1960, and during the 1970s the subject has developed and expanded rapidly. This book presents a self-contained exposition of the subject as a whole. The authors develop various applications, in particular to the study of Banach algebras where the numerical range provides an important link between the algebraic and metric structures.

Starting with elementary operator theory and matrix analysis, this book introduces the basic properties of the numerical range and gradually builds up the whole numerical range theory. Over 400 assorted problems, ranging from routine exercises to published research results, give you the chance to put the theory into practice and test your understanding. Interspersed throughout the text are numerous comments and references, allowing you to discover related developments and to pursue areas of interest in the literature. Also included is an appendix on basic convexity properties on the Euclidean space. Targeted at graduate students as well as researchers interested in functional analysis, this book provides a comprehensive coverage of classic and recent works on the numerical range theory. It serves as an accessible entry point into this lively and exciting research area.