# Getting a positive semi-definite matrix from two positive definite matrices

Suppose I have two positive-definite Hermitian matrices $A$ and $B$. Their eigenvalues are strictly positive reals.

Consider the matrices $A-tB$ for $0 \le t < \infty$. My goal is to conclude that there is some smallest $t$ such that $A-tB$ has zero as an eigenvalue, and all other eigenvalues non-negative. How do I show this (and is this even true)? I know some results about continuity (the eigenvalues of a convergent sequence of matrices also converge), but am not sure if such a $t$ exists: $$t^* := \inf_{0 \le t < \infty} \{t :\text{ A-tB has 0 as an eigenvalue}\} \implies A-t^* B \text{ is positive semi-definite}$$

$A-tB=B^{1/2}( B^{-1/2}AB^{-1/2} - tI )B^{1/2}$, which is congruent to $B^{-1/2}AB^{-1/2} - tI$. Therefore, by Sylvester's law of interia, $A-tB$
• is positive definite whenever $0\le t<\rho(B^{-1/2}AB^{-1/2})=\rho(AB^{-1})$,
• is positive semidefinite but singular when $t=\rho(AB^{-1})$, and
• has a negative eigenvalue when $t>\rho(AB^{-1})$.
Therefore, the only $t$ (and hence the minimum $t$) such that $A-tB\succeq0$ and $A-tB$ is singular is $\rho(AB^{-1})$.