Resultados del cálculo
1. Definición y fórmulas
The matrix exponential of an $n\times n$ matrix $A$ is defined by the power series (which always converges):
Matrix exponential is fundamental for solving linear systems of ODEs $\dot{x}=Ax$, where $x(t)=e^{tA}x(0)$.
Dos métodos de cálculo útiles:
- Diagonal (or diagonalizable) case: if $A = VDV^{-1}$ with $D$ diagonal, then \[ e^{A} = V e^{D} V^{-1}, \quad e^{D} = \operatorname{diag}(e^{d_{11}},e^{d_{22}},\dots). \]
- Simpler special matrices: for a 2×2 rotation-like matrix $\begin{pmatrix}0 & -\theta\\ \theta & 0\end{pmatrix}$, $e^{A}$ yields a rotation matrix with $\cos,\sin$ entries. For nilpotent matrices ($N^{m}=0$) the series truncates.
2. Worked examples
Ejemplo 1: matriz diagonal (fácil)
Compute $e^{A}$ for
Since $A$ is diagonal, $e^{A}$ is diagonal with exponentials of the diagonal entries:
Ejemplo 2: matriz 2×2 de tipo rotación
Compute $e^{A}$ for
This matrix represents a $90^\circ$ rotation generator. Use the series or known formula:
Because $A^{2} = -I$, $A^{3} = -A$, $A^{4}=I$, the exponential series groups into cosine and sine:
Therefore
More generally, for $A=\begin{pmatrix}0 & -\theta\\ \theta & 0\end{pmatrix}$, $e^{A}=\begin{pmatrix}\cos\theta & -\sin\theta\\ \sin\theta & \cos\theta\end{pmatrix}$.
3. Common mistakes
- Treating $e^{A}$ like elementwise exponential: $e^{A}\neq (e^{a_{ij}})$ in general — must use series or decomposition.
- Assuming $e^{A+B}=e^{A}e^{B}$: this is false unless $A$ and $B$ commute ($AB=BA$).
- Forgetting series convergence vs numerical truncation: practical computation truncates the series or uses diagonalization, Padé approximants, or scaling-and-squaring algorithms.
- Applying diagonalization without checking: $A$ must be diagonalizable to use $V e^{D} V^{-1}$ directly; otherwise use Jordan form or other methods.
- Mishandling complex/imaginary values: eigenvalues can be complex — exponentials will use complex exponentials (equivalently cos/sin for imaginary pairs).
4. Practice problems
Try these problems. Click Mostrar respuesta to reveal the result.
Ejercicio 1
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Because $A$ is diagonal with entries $1$ and $0$.
Ejercicio 2
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Series truncates because $A^{2}=0$.
Ejercicio 3
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Diagonal matrix — exponentiate each diagonal entry.
Ejercicio 4
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Use the rotation formula (here $\theta=\pi$):
$$ e^{A} = \begin{pmatrix}\cos\pi & -\sin\pi \\[6pt] \sin\pi & \cos\pi \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-1 & 0 \\[4pt] 0 & -1\end{pmatrix}. $$This matrix generates a rotation by $\pi$, so the exponential is $-I$.
Las exponenciales matriciales también se conectan con el rango de una matriz, la SVD y la RREF.