\(k\)-idempotency of linear combinations of an idempotent matrix and a tripotent matrix that commute (Q717789)

The authors establish a complete solution to the problem of characterizing all situations in which a linear combination \(C=c_1A+c_2B\) of an idempotent matrix \(A\) and a tripotent matrix \(B\) is \(k\)-idempotent. As a special case of this, a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for a linear combination \(C=c_1A+c_2B\) to be \(k\)-idempotent when \(A\) and \(B\) are idempotent matrices, is also studied.