Homework Help: Linear transformations and rotations

1. Nov 1, 2004

phy

Linear transformations and rotations....

Hi everyone. I need some help getting started on this question.

Let R: R3 ---> R3 be a rotation of pi/4 around the axix in R3. Find the matrix [R]E that defines the linear transformation R in the standard basis E={e1, e2, e3} of R3. Find R(1,2,1)

The problem I'm having is just I don't know how to handle the question since I'm not given an equation for R nor am I given some sort of vector to start with. Or am I supposed to put vectors e1, e2, and e3 as the colums of a matrix and do something like that? I'm confused so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

2. Nov 1, 2004

Dr Transport

Since R3 is most likely the z-axis, the rotation is in the x-y plane. Think about the rotation of a vector in that plane, the rows of the transformation matrix would correspond to the coefficients of the transformation $$\vec{R}' = A \vec{R}$$. A hint, the 3rd row of the matrix will be (0 0 1).

3. Nov 1, 2004

phy

Hmmmmm, I'm not quite sure I understand. Would the first row be (0 0 1) and the second (0 1 0)?

4. Nov 1, 2004

phy

Ooops I meant (1 0 0) and (0 1 0)

5. Nov 2, 2004

Dr Transport

No, you are rotating about the z-axis, $$x' = x \cos(\pi/4) + y \sin(\pi/4) and y' = -x \sin(\pi/4) + y \sin(\pi/4)$$ check my signs, but I think thay may be correct. the 3rd row is as above. The initial vector is (1,2,1).

6. Nov 2, 2004

Fredrik

Staff Emeritus
A rotation is a linear transformation that doesn't change the length of any vector. This means that

$$x^tx=(Rx)^t(Rx)$$

for all x. This fact, together with the condition that any vector in the 3 direction is left unchanged by left action of R, is enough to completely determine the components of R.

7. Nov 2, 2004

Dr Transport

This is a rotation, not magnitude change in the vector, only direction.

8. Nov 3, 2004

Fredrik

Staff Emeritus
That's what I said.