Gaur, A. K. A characterization of \(B^*\)-algebras. (English) Zbl 0898.46050 Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 20, No. 3, 483-486 (1997). The following theorem is proved: if \(A\) is a \(B^*\)-algebra with a bounded approximate identity of norm less or equal to 1, then an element of \(A\) is hermitian if and only if it is selfadjoint. It follows that for Banach algebras with a bounded approximate identity of norm less than 1, the condition \(A=H(A)+iH(A)\) is a characterization of \(B^*\) algebras. This result is well-known [see e.g. F. F. Bonsall and J. Duncan, “Numerical ranges of operators on normed spaces and of elements of normed algebras”, Cambridge University Press (1971; Zbl 0207.44802)]. Reviewer: L.Baribeau (Quebec) MSC: 46K05 General theory of topological algebras with involution 46J15 Banach algebras of differentiable or analytic functions, \(H^p\)-spaces Keywords:bounded approximate identity; \(B^*\)-algebras; hermitian elements; selfadjoint elements PDF BibTeX XML Cite \textit{A. K. Gaur}, Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 20, No. 3, 483--486 (1997; Zbl 0898.46050) Full Text: DOI EuDML