2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/183253Within the framework of a manifestly gauge invariant exact renormalization group for SU(N) Yang-Mills, we derive a simple expression for the expectation value of an arbitrary gauge invariant operator. We illustrate the use of this formula by computing the O(g^2) correction to the rectangular, Euclidean Wilson loop with sides T >> L. The standard result is trivially obtained, directly in the continuum, for the first time without fixing the gauge. We comment on possible future applications of the formalism.11 pages, 5 figures. v2: published in prd, review of methodology shortened, refs added, reformattedHigh Energy Physics - TheoryHigh Energy Physics - Phenomenologytext