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Product of Rotations


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The product, or the sum as its often called, of two rotations is either a rotation or a translation, both of which can be trivial. Depending on the context, one may treat the product of two rotations which is trivial as either a rotation or a translation.

The product of two rotations through angles a and b is a rotation through angle (a + b). Its center, which exists if the product is not trivial, can be found constructively.

Let there be given two rotations gP and gQ with centers P and Q. Assume gP is executed first, gQ second. gP leaves P in place. Denote gQ(P) = P'. gP carries some point Q' onto Q which is then left in place by gQ. The point O that lies at the intersection of perpendicular bisectors of QQ' and PP' is equidistant from P and P' and also from Q and Q'.

Now prove that POP' = Q'OQ = PQP' + Q'PQ. Finally, consider what happens with an arbitrary point (or two) under two successive rotations.

(The fact just established provides a powerful tool for solving geometric problems, see, for example, proofs of Bottem's theorem and an analogue.)

Copyright © 1996-2009 Alexander Bogomolny

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