AS June 2023 Paper 1 Q9

OCR ACurrent spec10 marksMatrices

9 Matrix \(\mathbf{R}\) is given by \(\mathbf{R} = \begin{pmatrix} a & 0 & -b \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ b & 0 & a \end{pmatrix}\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants.

(a) Find \(\mathbf{R}^2\) in terms of \(a\) and \(b\). [2]

The constants \(a\) and \(b\) are given by \(a = \dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{4}(\sqrt{3} + 1)\) and \(b = \dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{4}(\sqrt{3} - 1)\).

(b) By determining exact expressions for \(ab\) and \(a^2 - b^2\) and using the result from part (a), show that \[\mathbf{R}^2 = k\begin{pmatrix} \sqrt{3} & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & \sqrt{3} \end{pmatrix}\] where \(k\) is a real number whose value is to be determined. [2]
(c) Find \(\mathbf{R}^6\), \(\mathbf{R}^{12}\) and \(\mathbf{R}^{24}\). [3]
(d) Describe fully the transformation represented by \(\mathbf{R}\). [3]