# Matrix exponential of any matrix

I want to be able to compute the exponential of any square matrix $A\in M_n(\mathbb{R})$.

I know that:

• If $A$ is diagonalizable, then we can write $A=PDP^{-1}$, where $D=\left(\begin{array}{ccc} \lambda_{1} & \cdots & 0\\ \vdots & \ddots & \vdots\\ 0 & \cdots & \lambda_{n} \end{array}\right)$ and it is easy to show that $e^A=Pe^DP^{-1}$.

• If we can write $A$ in the form $$\left(\begin{array}{ccccc} \lambda_{1} & 1 & \cdots & 0 & 0\\ & \lambda_{2} & \ddots & 0 & 0\\ & & \ddots & 1 & \vdots\\ \vdots & & & \lambda_{n-1} & 1\\ 0 & \cdots & & & \lambda_{n} \end{array}\right)$$ then we can write $A=D+N$ where $D$ is diagonal and $N$ is nilpotent. If $DN=ND$, then $e^A=e^{D+N}=e^De^N$, and this shouldn't be too hard to compute.

Now, what if both cases fail? For example, what if $A$ is not diagonalizable and, furthermore, the decomposition $D,N$ is such that $DN\ne ND$? Or, even worse, if there is no such decomposition?

For example: $A=\left(\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 1\\ 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)$ is diagonalizable, so we can use the first case above. But we can't use the second, since $A=\left(\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 0\\ 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)+\left(\begin{array}{cc} 0 & 1\\ 0 & 0 \end{array}\right)$ but these matrices do not commute. If $A$ was not diagonalizable, I was in a bad situation.

• Wouldn't writing it in Jordan normal form help, as then each 'Jordan block' can be split in $\lambda \cdot I + N$ with $N$ nilpotent (all ones on the diagonal line above the diagonal), which commute since the first is simply a multiple of the identity. – SvanN Jun 15 '17 at 11:39

It is well known that we can write any matrix in Jordan normal form by a change of basis. This means it is a block-diagonal matrix, with block-entries the 'Jordan blocks' (not sure if that's standard terminology): $$J(\lambda, n) = \begin{bmatrix} \lambda & 1 & & \\ & \lambda &1 &\\ &&\ddots &1 \\ &&&\lambda \end{bmatrix} = \lambda \cdot I + N,$$ where $N$ is the matrix with ones at all entries immediately above the diagonal. These blocks, then, can be split as indicated above, and $\lambda I \cdot N = N \cdot \lambda I$, for $I$ commutes with all matrices. Since each block on the diagonal of the Jordan normal form commutes, we can split the entire matrix in a diagonal matrix and a nilpotent matrix. Since each block commutes, the 'entire thing' commutes as well.
So, to summarise: we can find a Jordan normal form: $A = U \cdot J \cdot U^{-1}$, and this $J$ can be split in a diagonal and a nilpotent matrix.
The Jordan-Chevalley decomposition guaranties that any matrix can be expressed in the form $A=PJP^{-1}$ with the entries of $P$ and $J$ in $\mathbb{C}$ ( $J$ is the Jordan form of the linear transformation) , and $J=D+N$ with $DN=ND$.