Question:medium

If $A = \begin{bmatrix} \sin \alpha & -\cos \alpha\\ \cos \alpha & \sin \alpha \end{bmatrix}$ and $\alpha \in (\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2})$. If $A + A^T = I$, then $\alpha =$}

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Always check the given range for the angle after finding the trigonometric value to select the correct quadrant.
Updated On: May 29, 2026
  • $\frac{2\pi}{3}$
  • $\frac{5\pi}{6}$
  • $\pi$
  • $\frac{4\pi}{3}$
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To solve this problem, we need to find the value of \(\alpha\) such that \(A + A^T = I\), where \(A\) is given as:

\(A = \begin{bmatrix} \sin \alpha & -\cos \alpha\\ \cos \alpha & \sin \alpha \end{bmatrix}\)

First, compute the transpose of \(A\), denoted as \(A^T\):

\(A^T = \begin{bmatrix} \sin \alpha & \cos \alpha\\ -\cos \alpha & \sin \alpha \end{bmatrix}\)

Now, calculate \(A + A^T\):

\(A + A^T = \begin{bmatrix} \sin \alpha & -\cos \alpha\\ \cos \alpha & \sin \alpha \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} \sin \alpha & \cos \alpha\\ -\cos \alpha & \sin \alpha \end{bmatrix}\)

Perform the matrix addition:

\(A + A^T = \begin{bmatrix} 2\sin \alpha & 0\\ 0 & 2\sin \alpha \end{bmatrix}\)

We need \(A + A^T\) to equal the identity matrix \(I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0\\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\). Thus, we require:

\(2\sin \alpha = 1\)

Solving for \(\sin \alpha\), we get:

\(\sin \alpha = \frac{1}{2}\)

We know from trigonometric identities that \(\sin \alpha = \frac{1}{2}\) when \(\alpha = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}\), etc. However, given the interval \(\left(\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}\right)\), only \(\alpha = \frac{5\pi}{6}\) satisfies the condition.

Therefore, the correct value of \(\alpha\) is:

\(\frac{5\pi}{6}\)

This matches option: \(\frac{5\pi}{6}\).

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