[Math] Show that the inverse of a projection matrix, when exists, is again a projection matrix.

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A proof in linear algebra. Show that the inverse of a projection matrix, when exists, is again a projection matrix.

My thinking:

The definition of a projection matrix is $PP=P$. So,
$$
PP=\frac{1}{(v\cdot v)^2}vv^{-1}vv^{-1}=\frac{1}{(v\cdot v)^2}v(v^{-1}v)v^{-1}
$$ this is what I have tried so far, not sure how to proceed or if what I have so far is correct.

Best Answer

Since $P=P^2$, if $(P)^{-1}$ exists, then $(P^2)^{-1}$ exists, so $(P^{-1})=(P^2)^{-1}=(P^{-1})^2$. In fact, it can be shown that $P=I$ is the only invertible projection matrix, so the result is obvious from this fact.