.
How to
prove A is
idempotent if and only if (I-A) is
idempotent.
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Definition (see Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idempotent_matrix )
In algebra, an idempotent matrix is a matrix which, when multiplied by itself, yields itself.
That is, the matrix M is idempotent if and only if MM = M. For this product MM to be defined, M must necessarily be a square matrix.
1. Let A be an idempotent. Then A*A = A, by the definition.
Then (1-A)*(1-A) = 1 - A - A + (-A)*(-A) = 1 - 2A + A*A = 1 - 2A + A = 1-A.
( I replaced A*A by A using the fact (the assumption) that A is idempotent ).
Thus we proved that "If A is idempotent, THEN (1-A) is idempotent."
2. Let 1-A be an idempotent. Let denote B = 1-A then.
According to #1, then 1-B is idempotent.
But 1-B = 1 - (1-A) = A.
Hence, A is idempotent.
Thus we proved that "If 1-A is idempotent, THEN A is idempotent."
3. So, we proved the statement "A is idempotent if and only if (I-A) is idempotent."
The proof is completed and the problem is solved.