# Questions related to nilpotent and idempotent matrices

I have several questions on an assignment that I just can't seem to figure out.

1) Let $A$ be $2\times 2$ matrix. $A$ is nilpotent if $A^2=0$. Find all symmetric $2\times 2$ nilpotent matrices.

It is symmetric, meaning the matrix $A$ should look like $A=\begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ b & c\end{bmatrix}$. Thus, by working out $A^2$ I find that

$a^2 + b^2 = 0$ and $ab + bc = 0$.

This tells me that $a^2 = - b^2$ and $a = -c$. I'm not sure how to progress from here.

2)Suppose $A$ is a nilpotent $2\times 2$ matrix and let $B = 2A$ - I. Express $B^2$ in terms of $B$ and $I$. Show that $B$ is invertible and find $B$ inverse.

To find $B^2$ can I simply do $(2A -I)(2A - I)$ and expand as I would regular numbers? This should give $4A^2 - 4A + I^2$. Using the fact that $A^2$ is zero and $I^2$ returns $I$, the result is $I - 4A$. From here do I simply use the original expression to form an equation for $A$ in terms of $B$ and $I$ and substitute it in? Unless I am mistaken $4A$ cannot be treated as $2A^2$ and simplified to a zero matrix.

3) We say that a matrix $A$ is an idempotent matrix if $A^2 = A$. Prove that an idempotent matrix $A$ is invertible if and only if $A = I$.

I have no idea how to begin on this one.

4) Suppose that $A$ and $B$ are idempotent matrices such that $A+B$ is idempotent, prove that $AB = BA = 0$.

Again, I don't really have any idea how to begin on this one.

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Do you know about the Caley-Hamilton theorem? –  Git Gud Jan 27 '13 at 23:44
No I do not. I don't believe we've covered that in class. –  Kev Jan 27 '13 at 23:54
4) was already solved here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/287730/… –  1015 Jan 27 '13 at 23:54
@julien write it as an answer? –  Git Gud Jan 27 '13 at 23:58
@Kev Do the matrices have all their entries over the real numbers or are you considering complex numbers as well? –  Git Gud Jan 28 '13 at 0:20

1. You should also find that $b^2 + c^2 = 0$ from the $(2,2)$-entry of $A^2$. Are you working with real matrices? If so, what do $a^2 + b^2 = 0$ and $b^2 + c^2 = 0$ tell you about $a$, $b$, and $c$?

2. Your work so far is alright. Now just note $$B^2 = I - 4A = -2(2A - I) - I = -2B - I.$$

3. Clearly $I$ is idempotent and invertible. If $A$ is idempotent and invertible, then we can multiply both sides of $A^2 = A$ by $A^{-1}$ to get $A = I$.

4. Look at $$A + B = (A + B)^2 = A^2 + AB + BA + B^2 = A + AB + BA + B,$$ where we used that $A$, $B$, and $A+ B$ are idempotent. Hence $$AB = - BA. \tag{\ast}$$ Now compare the results of multiplying $(\ast)$ on the right by $B$ and on the left by $B$ to find that $$AB = BA. \tag{\ast\ast}$$ Then it follows from $(\ast)$ and $(\ast\ast)$ that $AB = BA = 0$.

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Thank you, I know understand 2), 3) and 4). –  Kev Jan 28 '13 at 0:15
For 1) a^2 + b^2 = 0 and b^2 + c^2 = 0 tell me that a^2 = c^2 and that b^2 = -a^2 = -c^2. However I am still unsure how to use this information to find all the matrices I am asked for. –  Kev Jan 28 '13 at 0:17
Hint: The square of a real number is always greater than or equal to zero. –  Henry T. Horton Jan 28 '13 at 0:19
Since I am only dealing with real numbers, the only way for b^2 = -a^2 = -c^2 to be fulfilled would be for a=b=c=0 is that right? –  Kev Jan 28 '13 at 0:46
Additionally, for 2) I now know that B^2 = -2B - I. I sense that I am supposed to apply this information to show that B is invertible and to find B inverse. I am stuck again. –  Kev Jan 28 '13 at 0:50

For #1, you should also have $b^2 + c^2 = 0$. If you're working over the real numbers, note that the square of a real number is always $\ge 0$, and is $0$ only if the number is $0$.

If complex numbers are allowed, you could have $a = -c = \pm i b$.

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