An inverse eigenvalue problem and a matrix approximation problem for symmetric skew-hamiltonian matrices

Based on the theory of inverse eigenvalue problem, a correction of an approximate model is discussed, which can be formulated as NX=XΛ, where X and Λ are given identified modal and eigenvalues matrices, respectively. The solvability conditions for a symmetric skew-Hamiltonian matrix N are established and an explicit expression of the solutions is derived. For any estimated matrix C of the analytical model, the best approximation matrix to minimize the Frobenius norm of C − N is provided and some numerical results are presented. A perturbation analysis of the solution is also performed, which has scarcely appeared in existing literatures. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(10571012, 10771022), the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (1062005) and the Beijing Educational Committee Foundation (KM200411232006, KM200611232010).