An inequality for rational functions with applications to some statistical estimation problems

Abstract

The well-known Baum-Eagon inequality (1967) provides an effective iterative scheme for finding a local maximum for homogeneous polynomials with positive coefficients over a domain of probability values. However, in many applications the goal is to maximize a general rational function. In view of this, the Baum-Eagon inequality is extended to rational functions. Some of the applications of this inequality to statistical estimation problems are briefly described.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>