[Math] Nonnegative orthogonal matrices

linear algebramatricesnonnegative-matricesorthogonal matricespermutation-matrices

Assume that $A \in \mathbb{R}^{n \times n}$ has nonnegative entries and $AA^T = I_n$ where $I_n$ is the identity matrix. Is it true that $A$ should be a permutation matrix?

EDIT: I seem to have a proof for doubly stochastic matrices based on the Birkhoff theorem. Here is another related question: Is the set of nonnegative matrices the conic hull of permutation matrices?

Best Answer

Yes, $A$ must be a permutation matrix.

Suppose some rows have more than one positive element. Then by the pigeonhole principle, there must be one component which is positive in at least two rows, and this contradicts the orthogonality.

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