10/2/23, 12:40 AM Linear Algebra Advanced Problems

Problem 22: Matrix Exponential

Let A be a square matrix. Define the matrix exponential eA as:

eA = I + A + 1 2
2!
A
​ + 1 3
3!
​A +…

Prove that the matrix exponential eA is well-defined and has the property eA+B = eA ⋅ eB for any two
square matrices A and B that commute.

Solution 22:

The matrix exponential eA is well-defined due to its Taylor series expansion. To prove eA+B = eA ⋅ eB
for commuting matrices A and B , we need to show that the power series for eA+B and eA ⋅ eB are
equal.

Power Series Expansion:

Expand eA+B using its Taylor series and A and B commuting:
1 1
eA+B = I + (A + B) + 2!
​ (A + B)2 + 3!
​ (A + B)3 + …
Factorization:
Using the commutativity of A and B , factorize (A + B)k and simplify to obtain:
(A + B)k = Ak + terms involving Ak−1 , Ak−2 B, … , B k
Product of Exponentials:
Now, expand eA ⋅ eB using their respective Taylor series and distribute the terms.
Comparing the coefficients, we can see that eA+B = eA ⋅ eB .

Problem 23: Applications in Electrical Engineering - Circuit Analysis

Consider a circuit with n nodes and m branches. The branch voltages and currents are related by the
equation V = RI , where V is the vector of branch voltages, R is the resistance matrix, and I is the
vector of branch currents.

a) Express this relationship in matrix form.

b) If R is a symmetric positive definite matrix, explain its significance in circuit analysis.

Solution 23:

a) Matrix Form of V = RI :

The relationship V = RI can be expressed in matrix form as:

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10/2/23, 12:40 AM Linear Algebra Advanced Problems

V = RI

where:

V is the vector of branch voltages.

R is the resistance matrix.
I is the vector of branch currents.

b) Significance of a Symmetric Positive Definite (SPD) Matrix in Circuit Analysis:

In electrical circuits, a symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrix R often arises from resistive
components. The SPD property ensures that the circuit is passive and stable, and it allows for efficient
numerical solutions of the circuit equations. SPD matrices have important properties, such as all
eigenvalues being positive, which align with the physical characteristics of resistances in a circuit

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