Revision Matrices and Transformations
Revision Matrices and Transformations
Revision Matrices and Transformations
2 1
Example: A transformation is represented by the 2 by 2 matrix M = .
−1 1
To find the image of the point (3, 2) under this transformation, you need to find the result of the
following matrix multiplication
2 1 3 8
−1 1 2 = −1
14 2 43 {
matrix position
vector
Example 2: A rectangle has coordinates (1, 1), (4, 1), (4, 3) and (1, 3). Find the coordinates of
3 −1
the image of the rectangle under the transformation represented by the matrix .
−1 1
3 −11
Solution: You could find the image of each vertex in turn by finding ,
−1 1 1
3 −1 4
−1 1 1 etc.
However, it is more efficient to multiply the transformation matrix by a rectangular matrix
containing the coordinates of each vertex:
3 −1 1 4 4 1 2 11 9 0
−1 1 1 1 3 3 = 0 −3 −1 2
14 2 43 1 44 2 4 43 .
transformation matrix containing
matrix coordinates of each vertex
So the image has coordinates (2, 0), (11, -3), (9, -1) and (0, 2).
The diagram below shows the object and the image:
0
-2 2 4 6 8 10 12
-2
a b
Any transformation that can be represented by a 2 by 2 matrix, , is called a linear
c d
transformation.
The square with coordinates O(0, 0), I(1, 0), J(0, 1) and K(1, 1) is called the unit square.
Suppose we consider the image of this square under a general linear transformation as represented
a b
by the matrix :
c d
a b 0 1 0 1 0 a b a + b
c d 0 0 1 1 = 0 c d c + d .
Example: Find the image of the unit square under the transformation represented by the matrix
1 2
0 1 .
Solution:
The image of (1, 0) is (1, 0) (i.e. the first column)
The image of (0, 1) is (2, 1) (i.e. the second column)
3
The image of (1, 1) is (3, 1) (i.e. add the entries in the
top row and the bottom row together).
2
We can show the unit square and its image in a
1
diagram:
0
1 2 3
We notice that the points on the x-axis have not moved. This type of transformation is called a
shear. Here the invariant line is the x-axis.
We can describe what transformation any matrix represents by seeing how it affects the unit
square.
Example:
A transformation T is given by:
x ' 0 −1 x
y ' = 1 0 y .
a) Find the image of the point A(3, 2).
b) Describe fully the transformation represented by T.
Solution:
a) The image of A(3, 2) can be found by:
0 −1 3 −2
1 0 2 = 3
So the image of A is the point A′ (-2, 3).
1 I'
J
J' I
0
-1 1 2 3
To find the matrix that defines a transformation you find the images of the two points I(1, 0) and
J(0, 1).
The image of (1, 0) forms the first column of the matrix.
The image of (0, 1) forms the second column of the matrix.
Example:
Find the matrix that represents a reflection in the y-axis.
Solution:
When you reflect in the y-axis: y
• the image of I(1, 0) is (-1, 0)
• the image of J(0, 1) is (0, 1).
1 J
J'
Therefore the matrix is: I' I
−1 0 x
-1 1
0 1 .
reflect in y-axis
Example 2:
Find the matrix that represents an enlargement centre (0, 0), scale factor 3.
Solution: y
The image of the point I(1, 0) is (3, 0).
The image of the point J(0, 1) is (0, 3).
3 J'
3 0
So the matrix is . 2
0 3
1 J
I I'
0 x
1 2 3
Example 3:
Find the matrix that represents a rotation centre (0, 0), 90 degrees clockwise.
Solution: y
The image of the point I(1, 0) is (0, -1).
The image of the point J(0, 1) is (1, 0).
2
rotation 90 deg clockwise
0 1 1 J
So the matrix is .
−1 0 I J'
0 x
1 2 3
-1 I'
(-sinθ , cosθ ) 1
– sinθ
cosθ (cosθ , sinθ )
1
θ 1
sinθ
θ
0
cosθ 1
Solution:
This matrix would be
1 − 3
cos 60 − sin 60 2 2 .
sin 60 cos 60 =
3 1
2 2
Example 2:
Find the matrix that corresponds to a reflection in the line y = 2x.
Solution:
Comparing the line y = 2x with the form y = (tanθ)x, we see that tanθ = 2 so that θ = 63.43°.
Therefore the matrix is:
1 k
1 J
I
I'
1
Solution:
(i) When describing the transformation corresponding to a matrix, it is sensible to first compare
the given matrix to the general matrices for rotation and reflection (as quoted in the formula
book).
The matrix for rotating through θ° anticlockwise centre (0, 0) is
cos θ − sin θ
sin θ cos θ
The matrix for reflecting in the line y = (tanθ)x is
cos 2θ sin 2θ
sin 2θ − cos 2θ .
− 1 −1 3
Our matrix M = 1 2 2 is similar in structure to the matrix for rotation (since the entries
3 −1
2 2
on the leading diagonal (from top left to bottom right) have the same signs and the entries on the
other diagonal have opposite signs).
(ii) Since M represents a rotation through one third of a turn, if you repeat this transformation 3
times you would end up where you started off. Therefore M3 would represent the identity
transformation (which is represented by the identity matrix). So n = 3.
Examination question (AQA 2003)
The transformation T is represented by the matrix M, where
1 − 3
M = 2 2
.
3 1
2 2
a) Give a geometrical interpretation of T.
b) Find the smallest positive value of n for which M n = I
1
-1
Transformation 2: Enlargement s.f. 2 centre (0, 0):
2 0
This matrix is .
0 2
Combined transformation: Since we wish to reflect first then enlarge, the correct order to
multiply the matrices is:
2 0 1 0 2 0
0 2 0 −1 = 0 −2
Solution:
cos θ − sin θ
a) If you compare the matrix M1 with the general matrix for a rotation, i.e. , you
sin θ cos θ
will see that it corresponds to a rotation, centre (0, 0) through 30 degrees in anticlockwise
direction.
Therefore |det(M)| represents the area scale factor for the transformation.
Note: If det(M) is negative, then the transformation will have involved some flipping over (i.e.
some reflection is involved).
θ I
– 3 1
b) To find the area of the image, we need to find det(A). This determinant is 1 – (-3) = 4.
So the area of the image is 4 times the area of the object.
Therefore the area of P’Q’R’ is 4 × 8 = 32.
Section 4: Mixed questions
Worked examination question (AQA January 2003)
a) Find the 2 × 2 matrix which represents a clockwise rotation through an angle of θ about the
origin.
b) Find the matrix which transforms
1 1 2 6
0 to 2 and 2 to 6 .
Solution:
cos θ − sin θ
a) The matrix (as given in the formula book) represents a rotation through an
sin θ cos θ
angle of θ in an anticlockwise direction.
−1
Therefore M =
1 6 1 2
.
2 6 0 2
−1
1 2 −2
But
1 2
= .
0 2 2 0 1
1 6 1 2 −2 1 2 4 1 2
So, M = = = .
2 6 2 0 1 2 4 2 2 1