We improve and expand in two directions the theory of norms on complex matrices induced by random vectors. We first provide a simple proof of the classification of weakly unitarily invariant norms on the Hermitian matrices. We use this to extend the main theorem in Chávez, Garcia, and Hurley (2023, Canadian Mathematical Bulletin 66, 808–826) from exponent $d\geq 2$ to $d \geq 1$. Our proofs are much simpler than the originals: they do not require Lewis’ framework for group invariance in convex matrix analysis. This clarification puts the entire theory on simpler foundations while extending its range of applicability.

We introduce a family of norms on the $n \times n$ complex matrices. These norms arise from a probabilistic framework, and their construction and validation involve probability theory, partition combinatorics, and trace polynomials in noncommuting variables. As a consequence, we obtain a generalization of Hunter’s positivity theorem for the complete homogeneous symmetric polynomials.

In the study of the spectra of algebras of holomorphic functions on a Banach space E, the bidual E″ has a central role, and the spectrum is often shown to be locally homeomorphic to E″. In this paper we consider the problem of spectra of subalgebras invariant under the action of a group (functions f such that f ○ g = f). It is natural to attempt a characterization in terms of the space of orbits E″/~ obtained from E″ through the action of the group, so we pursue this approach here and introduce an analytic structure on the spectrum in some situations. In other situations we encounter some obstacles: in some cases, the lack of structure of E″/~ itself; in others, problems of weak continuity and non-approximability of functions in the algebra. We also define a convolution operation related to the spectrum.

In this paper we give an extension of the results of the generalized waiting time problem given by El-Desouky and Hussen (1990). An urn contains m types of balls of unequal numbers, and balls are drawn with replacement until first duplication. In the case of finite memory of order k, let ni be the number of type i, i = 1, 2, …, m. The probability of success pi = ni/N, i = 1, 2, …, m, where ni is a positive integer and Let Ym,k be the number of drawings required until first duplication. We obtain some new expressions of the probability function, in terms of Stirling numbers, symmetric polynomials, and generalized harmonic numbers. Moreover, some special cases are investigated. Finally, some important new combinatorial identities are obtained.

In this paper, we propose a new urn model. A single urn contains b black balls and w white balls. For each observation, we randomly draw m balls and note their colors, say k black balls and m − k white balls. We return the drawn balls to the urn with an additional ck black balls and c(m − k) white balls. We repeat this procedure n times and denote by Xn the fraction of black balls after the nth draw. To investigate the asymptotic properties of Xn, we first perform some computational studies. We then show that {Xn} forms a martingale, which converges almost surely to a random variable X. The distribution of X is then shown to be absolutely continuous.