Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2018
We generalize Löwner's method for proving that matrix monotone functions are operator monotone. The relation $x\,\le \,y$ on bounded operators is our model for a definition of ${{C}^{*}}$-relations being residually finite dimensional.
Our main result is a meta-theorem about theorems involving relations on bounded operators. If we can show there are residually finite dimensional relations involved and verify a technical condition, then such a theorem will follow from its restriction to matrices.
Applications are shown regarding norms of exponentials, the norms of commutators, and “positive” noncommutative $*$-polynomials.