Numerical index one characterises commutative JB*-triples

RESUMO

We establish that a JB$^*$-triple $E$ is commutative if and only if its numerical index $n(E)$ is one. As a consequence, $n(E) = 1$ implies $n(E^*) = n(E^{**}) = 1$. This settles a question left open in the literature since 2008.