Linear algebra - Orthogonal matrix

sweetiepi

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let T: Rⁿ -> Rⁿ be a linear transformation, and let B be an orthonormal basis for R^n. Prove that [ the length of T(x) ] = [ the length of x ] if and only if [T]_B (the B-matrix for T) is an orthogonal matrix.


2. Relevant equations
None I don't think.


3. The attempt at a solution
I've always had a hard time grasping linear transformation problems, so I don't even really know where to start with this one.

Rasalhague

A transformation is orthogonal if its matrix representation obeys a certain equation. In an orthonormal basis, this equation reduces to T^-1=T^T. (It's inverse is equal to its transpose.) So that's one relevant equation. How would you express, as a matrix equation, the fact that the length of a vector is unchanged by a transformation? Hint: if the length stays the same, what can we say about the square of the length?