1
$\begingroup$

In Horvath's Weighted network analysis, the author mentions that M^b, where b is a real number and M is a matrix, denotes the element-wise power. This seems odd to me. The way I was taught, M^b would mean multiplying the matrix M, b times. Should element-wise power not be M^(ob) where where o denotes the Hadamard power?

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ You should at provide a quote since that book is not open source. $\endgroup$
    – user3051
    Commented May 17, 2020 at 10:25

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

You CAN calculate M^b for b being float number, complex number or even another matrix. As well as you can calculate exp(M), log(M), sin(M) whatever... That is very standard for math people.

Let me give two ways how you can think of it.

1) M^b = exp(b log(M)), so you need to define what is exp and log for matrices. That can be done using power series: exp(M) = 1 + M + M^2/2! + M^3/3! + ... log(1+M) = M - M^2/2 + M^3/3 - ...

2) More general way to calculate any function of matrix f(M) , looks like that: if your matrix is diagonal, then it is true that: f(diag(d_i)) = diag( f(d_i) ) . So the question how to reduce any matrix to diagonal one. That can be done for almost all matrices by conjugation M = C D C^{-1}. Then f(M) = C f(D) C^{-1}.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.