(a) Let $L_1: U \rightarrow V_1$ and $L_2: U \rightarrow V_2$ be linear maps between inner product spaces, with $V_1, V_2$ not necessarily the same. Let $J_1=L_1^* \circ L_1, J_2=L_2^* \circ L_2$. Show that the sum $J=J_1+J_2$ can be written as a self-adjoint combination $J=L^* \circ L$ for some linear operator