Edexcel A-Level Mathematics AS Fp1 6 1 Linear Transformations of Column Questions

Practise Edexcel IAL FP1.6.1 by multiplying 2×2 transformation matrices by column vectors, equating image components and solving for an unknown parameter such as λ.

Exam points

multiply a 2×2 transformation matrix by a column vector to obtain image coordinates
equate components of a mapped point to solve for an unknown parameter such as λ

[Maximum number: 5]

The transformation W is represented by the matrix

\left(\begin{array}{cc} -2 & 2 \sqrt{3} \\ 2 \sqrt{3} & 2 \end{array}\right)

Show that there is a real number $\lambda$ for which W maps the point $(\lambda, 1)$ onto the point ( $4 \lambda, 4$ ), giving the exact value of $\lambda$

$\begin{pmatrix}-2&2\sqrt3\\2\sqrt3&2\end{pmatrix}\binom{\lambda}{1}=\binom{4\lambda}{4}$ $\binom{-2\lambda+2\sqrt3}{2\sqrt3\lambda+2}=\binom{4\lambda}{4}$ $-2\lambda+2\sqrt3=4\lambda\quad\text{or}\quad2\sqrt3\lambda+2=4$ $6\lambda=2\sqrt3\Rightarrow\lambda=\frac{\sqrt3}{3}$
or $2\sqrt3\lambda=2\Rightarrow\lambda=\frac1{\sqrt3}$
Both equations solved leading to $\lambda=\frac{\sqrt3}{3}$ or $\frac1{\sqrt3}$

All question bank results loaded

Edexcel A-Level Mathematics AS Fp1 6 1 Linear Transformations of Column Questions question 1