Asymptotic estimates are obtained for the eigen-values of symmetric kernels which satisfy a Lipschitz condition of order α, where 0 < α ≤ 1, on a bounded region. For 0 < α < 1, the eigen-values are shown to be O(1/nα+½) for general kernels, and O(1/nα+1) for positive definite kernels. For α = 1, the eigen-values are shown to be O(1/n+3/2) in general, but only O(1/n2) when the kernel is positive definite. Examples are given to show these estimates are best possible for powers of n.

The estimates for general kernels are known. In 1931, Hille and Tamarkin used infinite determinants to obtain weaker estimates in the case 0 < α < 1, but the same estimates as ours for α = 1. In 1937, Smithies sharpened the estimates for 0 < α < 1 to the ones we give by a variant of the method used by Weyl in 1912 for smooth kernels. Cochran obtained the same estimates in 1972 using Fredholm determinants. Our proof uses Weyl's method in its original form for 0 < α < 1, and in Smithies' variant for α = 1, so in all cases simplifies previous proofs.

The estimates for positive definite kernels are, as far as we know, new. The proofs use the method of our recent paper on smooth positive definite kernels.