Idempotency of linear combinations of three idempotent matrices, two of which are commuting (Q884425)

Let \(P_{1}, P_{2}\), and \(P_{3} \) be three idempotent complex matrices. The authors obtain necessary and sufficient conditions on \(P_{i}\), \(i=1,2,3\) and three complex numbers \(c_{i}\), \(i=1,2,3\) for which \(P=c_{1}P_{1}+c_{2}P_{2}+c_{3}P_{3}\) is an idempotent matrix. This work generalizes the first author's results in this regard. The authors use this fact that every idempotent complex matrix is diagonalizable along a case by case investigation to obtain their results. They also generalize their results to Hermitian matrices as well.