Involutory Matrix

An Involutory Matrix is defined as a matrix that follows self self-inverse function, i.e., the inverse of the Involutory matrix is the matrix itself.

• A square matrix "P" is said to be an involutory matrix if its inverse is the original matrix itself, i.e., P = P^-1.
• A square matrix is said to be an involutory matrix that, when multiplied by itself, gives an identity matrix of the same order. i.e P × P = I

Only square and invertible matrices can be Involutory Matrices.

• The inverse of the matrix is defined as the matrix that, when multiplied by the original matrix, gives the identity matrix. i.e A × A^-1 = I.
• A square matrix is a matrix that has the same number of rows and columns (dimension: m × m).

Examples of Involutory Matrix

• The matrix given below is an involutory matrix of order "2 × 2."

• The matrix given below is an involutory matrix of order "3 × 3."

Involutory Matrix Formula

Let us consider a "2 × 2" square matrix . The given matrix is said to be an involutory matrix if satisfies the condition A² = I

Now, comparing the terms on each side, we get

a² + bc = 1

ab + bd = 0

b (a + d) = 0

b = 0 or a + d = 0

d = −a

So, a square matrix  is said to be an involutory matrix if 

• a² + bc = 1
• d = −a

Properties of Involutory Matrix

The following are some important properties of an involutory matrix:

• A square matrix "A" of any order is said to be involutory if and only if A² = I or A = A^-1.
• If A and B are two involutory matrices of the same order and AB = BA, then AB is also an involutory matrix.
• The determinant of an involutory matrix is always either -1 or +1.
• If "A" is an involutory matrix of any order, then Aⁿ = I if n is even and Aⁿ = A if n is odd, where n is an integer.
• If a block diagonal matrix is derived from an involutory matrix, then the obtained matrix is also involutory.
• The eigenvalues of an involutory matrix are always either -1 or +1.
• A symmetric involutory matrix is orthogonal, and vice versa.
• An involutory matrix "A" can also be an idempotent matrix if "A" is an identity matrix.
• The following is the relationship between idempotent and involutory matrices: A square matrix "A" is said to be an involutory matrix if and only if A = ½ (B + I), where B is an idempotent matrix.

Related Articles

• Minors and Cofactors of Determinants
• Determinant of a Matrix
• Adjoint of a Matrix

Solved Examples on Involutory Matrix

Example 1: Verify whether the matrix given below is involutory or not.

Solution:

To prove that the given matrix is involutory, we have to prove that A² = A.

Hence, verified.

So, the given matrix A is an involutory matrix.

Example 2: Give an example of an involutory matrix of order 2 × 2.

Solution:

A matrix  is said to be an involutory matrix, if a² + bc = 1.

Let us consider that a = 3, b = 4, c = −2 such that a² + bc = 1.

(3)² + (4) × (−2) = 9 − 8 = 1

We know that d = −a.

So, the involutory matrix is .

Example 3: Prove that the matrix given below is involutory.

Solution:

To prove that the given matrix is involutory, we have to prove that B = B^-1.

B^-1 = Adj B/ |B|

|B| = −49 − (−48) = −1

Hence, the given matrix is involutory.

Example 4: Prove that the determinant of the involutory matrix given below is always ±1.

Solution:

Let us consider of an involutory matrix "P" of order "n × n" to prove that its determinant is always ±1.

We know that a square matrix "P" is said to be involutory if and only if P² = I.

 P × P = I

Now, |P| × |P| = |I|

We know that the determinant of an identity matrix of any order is 1.

 (|P|)² = 1

 |P| = √1 = ±1

Thus, the determinant of an involutory matrix of any order is always ±1.

Hence proved.