# Coordinate Lipschitz constant vs standard Lipschitz constant

Let $f: \mathbb{R}^n \mapsto \mathbb{R}$ a convex a continuously differentiable function.

What is the relation between the component Lipschitz constants, i.e. the smallest constants $L_i$ such that for all $x \in \mathbb{R}^n$ and $t \in \mathbb{R}$: $$|[\nabla f(x+te_i)]_i-[\nabla f(x)]_i| \leq L_i|t|,$$ and the regular Lipschitz constant, i.e. the smallest constant $L$ such that for all $d \in \mathbb{R}^n$: $$\|\nabla f(x+d)-\nabla f(x)\|_2 \leq L\|d\|_2?$$

It is mentioned it this paper that $1 \leq \frac{L}{L_{\text{max}}} \leq n$ where $L_{\text{max}} = \max_{i=1..n}L_i$, which comes from the "relationships between norm and trace of a symmetric matrix" (p.12). However I do not see where this result comes from, or which "symmetric matrix" the author refers to.

• Notice that Lipschitz constants aren't unique. If $L$ is a Lipschitz constant then any $M> L$ is also a Lipschitz constant. So please be more specific about $L$ and $L_i$. – user251257 May 18 '18 at 19:09

Since $M=L\text{I} - \nabla^2 f \succeq 0$, all diagonal entries of $M$ must be non-negative. Thus, $L \geq L_{\max}$. The equality holds when, for example, $f(x)=\sum_{i=1}^n x_i^2.$
$$L \leq \sum_{i=1}^n \lambda_i = tr(\nabla^2 f) = \sum_{i=1}^n \partial^2 f_i \leq n L_{\max}.$$
When $f(x)= (\sum_{i=1}^n x_i)^2$, the equality holds.