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This problem introduces the idea of using a matrix to represent the probabilities of moving between different states, and also how these can be used to investigate long term behaviour.
The problem starts with a situation where movement is between two states, and then moves onto introducing a third state.
Students might find these Matrix Power calculators useful:
They will be especially useful when investigating the long term behaviour of the problem. The decimal calculator might be more useful for this case.
The problem Pass the Parcel takes these ideas and applies them to a popular children's party game.
There are more matrix problems in this feature.
This problem in geometry has been solved in no less than EIGHT ways by a pair of students. How would you solve it? How many of their solutions can you follow? How are they the same or different? Which do you like best?
Follow hints using a little coordinate geometry, plane geometry and trig to see how matrices are used to work on transformations of the plane.
Follow hints to investigate the matrix which gives a reflection of the plane in the line y=tanx. Show that the combination of two reflections in intersecting lines is a rotation.