An inequality for nonnegative matrices and the inverse eigenvalue problem

We present two versions of the same inequality, relating the maximal diagonal entry of a nonnegative matrix to its eigenvalues. We demonstrate a matrix factorization of a companion matrix, which leads to a solution of the nonnegative inverse eigenvalue problem (denoted the nniep) for 4×4 matrices of trace zero, and we give some sufficient conditions for a solution to the nniep for 5×5 matrices of trace zero. We also give a necessary condition on the eigenvalues of a 5×5 trace zero nonnegative matrix in lower Hessenberg form. Finally, we give a brief discussion of the nniep in restricted cases.