2B21 M2

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
2B21 MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Problem Sheet M2 (2003–2004)

Solutions to be handed in on Tuesday 21 October 2003

1. The equations

x2 = √1 (x1 − z1 ) x3 = √1 (y2 − z2 ) ,
2 2
1
√ √
y2 = 2
(x 1 + 2y1 + z1 ) y3 = − 12 ( 2x2 + y2 + z2 ) ,
1
√ 1
√
z2 = 2
(x1 − 2y1 + z1 ) z3 = 2
(− 2x2 + y2 + z2 )

represent rotations in three dimensions. Use matrix techniques to express the

components of r3 in terms of those of r1 .
What does the resultant single transformation represent geometrically? [7 marks]

2. Use Cramer’s rule to solve the simultaneous equations

3x1 − 2x2 − x3 = 4 ,
2x1 + x2 + 2x3 = 10 ,
x1 + 3x2 − 4x3 = 5

to find the values of x1 , x2 , and x3 . [8 marks]

3. The matrices A, B, and D are related by D = A B. Given that

   
1 3 1 10 −6 6
A= 1 1 2  and D =  9 −6 5  ,
   

3 3 2 15 −10 11

evaluate A−1 . [7 marks]

Hence derive the value of B. [3 marks]