Determinant of the matrix exponential

In summary, the conversation discusses how to show that the determinant of eA is equal to the trace of A for a matrix A in Cnxn. The conversation mentions using the Jordan canonical form of A and how e^A would look like in this form. It also suggests thinking about how to find the determinant of an upper triangular matrix.
  • #1
syj
55
0

Homework Statement



Show that det(eA)=etr(A) for A[itex]\in[/itex]Cnxn

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I am sooo bad at proofs.
And I am still trying to wrap my brain around the concept of matrix exponentials.
Can someone please get me started ...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Remember that the determinant is the product of the eigenvalues and that the trace is the sum of the eigenvalues...

Also, you should work with the Jordan canonical form of A.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Ok
So let A=PDP-1 where D is the Jordan Canonical form of A
then eA=PeDP-1

Now where to from here??
:cry:
 
  • #4
If A is in Jordan Normal Form, what does [itex]e^A[/itex] look like? What is [itex]det(e^A)[/itex]?

You should be able to see that, since the Jordan Normal Form of any matrix is an "upper triangular matrix", all powers of the Jordan Normal Form is also an upper triangular matrix and so is the exponential. Think about how you would find the determinant of any upper triangular matrix.
 

Related to Determinant of the matrix exponential

1. What is the determinant of a matrix exponential?

The determinant of a matrix exponential is a scalar value that can be calculated from the exponential of a square matrix. It represents the scaling factor by which the area (or volume) of a shape is multiplied when that shape is transformed by the matrix exponential.

2. How is the determinant of a matrix exponential calculated?

The determinant of a matrix exponential can be calculated by first finding the eigenvalues of the matrix, then taking the exponential of each eigenvalue and multiplying them together.

3. What is the significance of the determinant of a matrix exponential?

The determinant of a matrix exponential has many important applications in mathematics and physics. It can be used to solve differential equations, determine the stability of systems, and calculate the probability of events in quantum mechanics.

4. Can the determinant of a matrix exponential ever be negative?

No, the determinant of a matrix exponential is always a positive value. This is because the exponential function always produces positive values, and the determinant is a product of positive values.

5. How does the determinant of a matrix exponential change when the matrix is transformed?

The determinant of a matrix exponential is affected by any transformations applied to the matrix. For example, if the matrix is scaled, the determinant will also be scaled by the same factor. If the matrix is rotated, the determinant will change according to the rotation. However, the determinant of the transformed matrix will still be equal to the determinant of the original matrix multiplied by the determinant of the transformation matrix.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
461
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
19
Views
3K
Back
Top