# Change of basis matrix for orthogonal bases

I am trying to show that if $B_1$ and $B_2$ are orthonormal bases for $\mathbb{R}^n$, then the change of basis matrix $P$ from $B_1$ to $B_2$ is an orthogonal matrix.

I'm a bit stuck. I started with this: Let $x,y \in \mathbb{R}^n$. Then $[x]_{B_2}^t[y]_{B_2} = (P[x]_{B_1})^tP[y]_{B_1} = [x]_{B_1}^tP^tP[y]_{B_1}$. I want to show that $P^tP = I_n$. I know I need to apply the fact that $B_1$ and $B_2$ are orthonormal, but I don't see how to apply that to this expression. Am I approaching this properly or is there a better way to think about it?

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A matrix is orthogonal iff its column vectors are orthonormal. – Prahlad Vaidyanathan Nov 14 '13 at 6:34

Though your idea is not the only possible approach, it works. Just let $x$ and $y$ independently run thought all the standard basis vectors, and you equation says that all $n^2$ entries of $P^t P$ are equal to the corresponding entry of the identity matrix.
Because $B_1$ and $B_2$ are orthonormal bases for $\mathbb{R}^n$, corresponding matrices (when expressed in a standard basis) are both orthogonal matrices. Since $B_2=PB_1$, $P=B_2 B_1^{-1}$ holds, and it is quite clear that $P$ is also an orthogonal matrix.