$A \in M_n(\mathbb{C})$ invertible and $A^2$ is diagonalizable. Prove $A$ is diagonalizable

diagonalizationlinear algebra

I'm interested to know if it's true because I saw that if $A^2$ is diagonalizable then $A$ is not necessary Diagonalizable.
I have a feeling it's true but I'm not sure how to prove it.
This is my proof but I'm not sure if it's good to assume that :
My try
By Diagonalizable we know that exist invertible matrix $P$ such that :
$P^{-1}AAP=diag(\lambda_1,…,\lambda_n)$
$AA=Pdiag(\lambda_1,…,\lambda_n)P^{-1}$
Set $D=Pdiag(\sqrt{\lambda_1},…,\sqrt{\lambda_n})P^{-1}$
So : $D^2=(Pdiag(\sqrt{\lambda_1},…,\sqrt{\lambda_n})P^{-1})(Pdiag(\sqrt{\lambda_1},…,\sqrt{\lambda_n})P^{-1})=Pdiag(\lambda_1,…,\lambda_n)P^{-1}=AA$
Here I wonder – $A=D=Pdiag(\lambda_1,…,\lambda_n)P^{-1} \rightarrow A$ is diagonalizable.

Best Answer

Here is a relatively quick proof. Note that a matrix is diagonalizable if and only if its minimal polynomial is a product of distinct linear factors. Because $A^2$ is diagonalizable, its minimal polynomial can be written as $$ p(x) = (x - \lambda_1) \cdots (x - \lambda_n) $$ where the eigenvalues $\lambda_i \in \Bbb C$ are distinct. Notably, each $\lambda_j$ is non-zero because $A$ is invertible. Thus, $A$ satisfies $q(x) = 0$, where $$ q(x) = p(x^2) = (x^2 - \lambda_1) \cdots (x^2 - \lambda_n) \\ = (x - \sqrt{\lambda_1})(x + \sqrt{\lambda_1}) \cdots (x - \sqrt{\lambda_n})(x + \sqrt{\lambda_n}). $$ The polynomial $q(x)$ has no repeating factors. The minimal polynomial of $A$ must divide $q(x)$, so the minimal polynomial of $A$ cannot have any repeating factors. Thus, $A$ must be diagonalizable.

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