Functions of Square Matrix
Engineering Mathematics - Semester
3
Introduction
• A square matrix is a matrix with the same number of rows and columns.
• Functions of a square matrix are used to
extend the concept of scalar functions (like
exponential, logarithm, sine, cosine) to
matrices.
Types of Functions of Matrices
• 1. Polynomial Functions
• 2. Exponential Functions
• 3. Logarithmic Functions
• 4. Trigonometric Functions (sinA, cosA)
• 5. Power of a Matrix
Polynomial Function of a Matrix
• If f(x) = a0 + a1x + a2x² + ... + anx^n, then
• f(A) = a0I + a1A + a2A² + ... + anA^n
• where A is a square matrix.
Exponential Function of a Matrix
• e^A = I + A/1! + A²/2! + A³/3! + ...
• Important in solving differential equations and
dynamic systems.
Logarithmic Function of a Matrix
• log(I + A) = A - A²/2 + A³/3 - A⁴/4 + ...
• Valid when ||A|| < 1 (convergence condition).
Trigonometric Functions of a Matrix
• sin(A) = A - A³/3! + A⁵/5! - ...
• cos(A) = I - A²/2! + A⁴/4! - ...
Power of a Matrix
• A^n = A × A × ... × A (n times)
• Matrix powers are important in Markov
chains, graph theory, and linear algebra
applications.
Properties
• 1. f(A) commutes with A.
• 2. If A and B commute, then f(A+B) = f(A)f(B)
(for exponential function).
• 3. f(A) can often be expressed using the
Cayley-Hamilton theorem.
Applications
• 1. Solving linear differential equations
• 2. Computer graphics and transformations
• 3. Control theory and dynamic systems
• 4. Quantum mechanics
• 5. Graph theory
Flowchart: Functions of Square Matrix
Square Matrix A
Function f(A)
Resulting Matrix