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Square Pair

Age 14 to 18
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You might like to look at Flipping Twisty Matrices before investigating this problem.


A 2D constant matrix $M$ acts on the plane, transforming each point with position vector ${\bf r}$ to another point with position vector $M{\bf r}$.

A particular square $S$ has corners with coordinates $(0,0), (0,1), (1,1), (1,0)$.

The action of the matrix $M$ on the points making up the square $S$ produces another shape in the plane.

What quadrilaterals can I transform $S$ into?

What quadrilaterals can I not transform $S$ into?

What shapes other than quadrilaterals can I transform $S$ into?

Another square $T$ has coordinates $(1,2), (2, 1), (3, 2), (2, 3)$.

When will $S$ and $T$ transform into the same type of quadrilateral? When will they transform into two different types of quadrilateral? Construct the matrices $M$ in each case.

 

You might like to use this Matrix Transformation tool to test out your ideas.

There are more matrix problems in this feature.
 

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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