# Prove that $AB=BA=0$ for two idempotent matrices.

Suppose that $A, B$ are idempotent matrices ($A^2=A$), such that $A + B$ is idempotent, prove that $AB = BA = 0$

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What have you tried ? –  Belgi Jan 26 '13 at 23:47
Are you sure you don't want to prove $AB+BA=0$ ? –  Belgi Jan 26 '13 at 23:49
No it is definitely AB=BA=0 –  Chance Jan 26 '13 at 23:51
Probably there is a typo on your book/list/etc... –  Sigur Jan 26 '13 at 23:57
@Belgi Thanks.. –  Git Gud Jan 26 '13 at 23:58

This is true in every ring where you can divide by $2$. So it is true in particular for matrices.

We have $(A+B)^2=A^2+AB+BA+B^2=A+AB+BA+B$. Since $A+B$ is idempotent, it follows that $$AB+BA=0.$$ We call this equation (E).

Right-multiply (E) by $B$. We find $AB+BAB=0$, hence $AB=-BAB$.

Left-multiply (E) by $B$. This yields $BAB+BA=0$, hence $BA=-BAB$.

Equating the last two equations, we find $AB=BA$.

Now $AB+BA=0$ clearly yields $2AB=2BA=0$. Dividing by $2$, we get $$AB=BA=0.$$

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Very nice! I thought in this direction when I saw I coldn't get the result, but I figured it was a typo and I tried to find a trivial example so I tooked $B=A$ and then I saw that in $F_2$ I get such an example. Did you know this before, or just proved it ? (+1) –  Belgi Jan 27 '13 at 0:17

This is incorrect.

For example take $F=\mathbb{F}_{2}$ the field with two elements and $A=B=I$ over $F$.

$A,B$ are clearly idempotent and $$A+B=I+I=2I=0$$ hence $$(A+B)^{2}=0^{2}=0=A+B$$ is also idempotent.

But $$AB=BA=I^{2}=I\neq0$$

From your assumption you can only get $AB+BA=0$.

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Yes I can only seem to get $AB+BA=0$ from this assumption. Could possibly be a typo. –  Chance Jan 27 '13 at 0:02
@Chance: It is true for square matrices over a field in characteristic distinct from $2$. See my answer. –  1015 Jan 27 '13 at 0:13
Can the downvoter please explain ? maybe I can improve my answer. –  Belgi Jan 27 '13 at 0:17
If you combine your answer with Julien's, you can arrive at $AB=BA=0$ –  Chance Jan 27 '13 at 0:21
@Chance - Not in general, You have to assume $1+1\neq 0$ –  Belgi Jan 27 '13 at 0:22