def precision_matrix(self):
        """
        Returns the precision matrix of the distribution.

        Precision is defined as the inverse of the variance. This method returns
        the inverse matrix of the covariance.

        Examples
        --------
        >>> import numpy as np
        >>> from pgmpy.factors.distributions import GaussianDistribution as GD
        >>> dis = GD(variables=['x1', 'x2', 'x3'],
        ...          mean=[1, -3, 4],
        ...          cov=[[4, 2, -2],
        ...               [2, 5, -5],
        ...               [-2, -5, 8]]))
        >>> dis.precision_matrix
        array([[ 0.3125    , -0.125     ,  0.        ],
               [-0.125     ,  0.58333333,  0.33333333],
               [ 0.        ,  0.33333333,  0.33333333]])
        """
        if self._precision_matrix is None:
            self._precision_matrix = np.linalg.inv(self.covariance)
        return self._precision_matrix