Determinant of Plane Rotation Matrix

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Theorem

The matrix associated with a rotation of the plane has a determinant of $1$.


Proof

From Matrix Equation of Plane Rotation, we have:

\(\ds \begin {vmatrix}

\cos \alpha & -\sin \alpha \\ \sin \alpha & \cos \alpha \end {vmatrix}\)

\(=\) \(\ds \map \cos \alpha \map \cos \alpha + \map \sin \alpha \map \sin \alpha\) Determinant of Order 2
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \cos^2 \alpha + \sin^2 \alpha\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 1\) Sum of Squares of Sine and Cosine

$\Box$

Hence the result.

$\blacksquare$