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I'm attempting to calculate the exponential of a matrix via Cayley-Hamilton theorem. (Following the "concrete example" from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayley%E2%80%93Hamilton_theorem)

I am having trouble manipulating the characteristic polynomial:

A[1] = {{1, 2}, {3, 4}};
cp = CharacteristicPolynomial[A[1], x]
A[2] = x^2 - cp
A[2] = A[2] /. {x -> A[1]}

This is the form of the example. Now, I can't figure out a way to multiply only the +2 by the identity matrix, while substituting in x->A[1]. The correct result should be 

5 A[1] + 2 *IdentityMatrix[2]

which obviously does not match

A[2] = A[2] /. {x -> A[1]}

As the "+2" is applied to all elements of A[1], not just the diagonals.

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To expand on David's answer, you need to replace it with the correct function. It turns out the pattern to do this is a little tricky to get right, either that or I'm out of practice. So, I'll walk you through the process using f as the "correct" function.

Initially, I would propose attempting to match using a default exponent, n_., 

cp /.  x^n_. :>  f[x, n]
(* -2 - 5 f[x, 1] + f[x, 2] *)

which as you see does not match the x^0 term. So, it seems we need to deal with that term directly,

cp /.  {x^(n_.)  :>  f[x, n], c_?NumericQ :> c f[x, 0]}
(* -2 f[x, 0] - 5 f[x, 0] f[x, 1] + f[x, 2] *)

which is over aggressive. To tone it down, we need to add a leading coefficient,

cp /.  {c_. x^(n_.)  :>  c f[x, n], c_?NumericQ :> c f[x, 0]}
(* -2 f[x, 0] - 5 f[x, 1] + f[x, 2] *)

which we also make optional so it will match x^2.

Now, applying this to your exact problem, we substitute f for the correct function: MatrixPower, e.g.

x^2 - cp /. {c_. x^(n_.) :> c MatrixPower[A[1], n], 
   c_?NumericQ :> c MatrixPower[A[1], 0]}
(* {{7, 10}, {15, 22}} *)

which is the correct answer

MatrixPower[A[1], 2]
(* {{7, 10}, {15, 22}} *)
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Remember that (A[1])^2 is not the same as A[1].A[1]. So you need to recode all of the powers (greater than one) in the characteristic polynomial into the form of MatrixPowers.

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  • $\begingroup$ The purpose of using Cayley - Hamilton is to avoid using matrix powers. So, I'm not sure how your comment relates to my problem? $\endgroup$
    – gKirkland
    May 15, 2014 at 1:18
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    $\begingroup$ @gKirkland he's absolutely correct. The distinction is x^2 is interpreted as Power[x, 2], but if x is a matrix, then every element is squared. This helps speed up some types of calculations. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    May 15, 2014 at 1:24
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    $\begingroup$ One cannot fully avoid all matrix powering, even in using Cayley-Hamilton. It allows one to write powers higher than n in terms of the powers up to n. $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Lichtblau
    May 15, 2014 at 14:29

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