Projective images (Q1320206)

Let \(R\) be a ring, and let \(I\) be an ideal of \(R\). It is shown that if \(R/I\) is \(R\)-projective on both sides, then \(I\) is generated by a central idempotent of \(R\); i.e., \(R = I \oplus J\) for some ideal \(J\). This generalizes a result of \textit{T. Ikeda} [J. Algebra 105, 344-350 (1987; Zbl 0604.20007)] for blocks of group algebras. Contrary to an incorrect lemma of \textit{G. Huang} [Chin. Ann. Math., Ser. B 12, No. 3, 335-347 (1991; Zbl 0751.20005)], this is not true if \(R/I\) is projective on one side only. However, it is shown here that if \(R\) is a quasi-Frobenius ring, then \(R/I\) is left \(R\)-projective if and only if it is right \(R\)- projective.