A simplification of the Kovarik formula (Q879082)

Let \(P\) and \(Q\) be idempotents in a Banach algebra \({\mathcal A}\) such that \(P + Q - I\) is invertible. For every positive integer \(n\), set \(K_n = P(P+Q-I)^{-n}Q\). It is known that \(K=K_2\) is an idempotent; moreover, in the case \({\mathcal A}=B(H)\), \textit{Z.\,V.\thinspace Kovarik} [Acta Sci.\ Math.\ 39, 341--351 (1977; Zbl 0392.47008)] proved that \(K\) is the only idempotent in \({\mathcal A}\) having the same range as \(P\) and the same nullspace as \(Q\). The paper under review considers various properties of elements \(K_n\). In particular, it is shown that, in fact, \(K_1=K\), and it is the unique idempotent satisfying \(P{\mathcal A}=K{\mathcal A}\) and \({\mathcal A}Q= {\mathcal A}K\). Furthermore, \(K_n=K\) for every \(n\geq 1\) if and only if \(PQP = P\) and \(QPQ =Q\).