Alkimos College

Year 11 Mathematics Specialist

Investigation 1
Topic: Matrices Weighting: 12%

Due date: 19th July 2024, 3pm Name: _____________________

Time allowed
In-class: 1 lesson in class.
Outside of class: 4 weeks at home (students may use any appropriate technology).

Materials required/recommended for this task

To be provided by the teacher: To be provided by the candidate:
 this investigation booklet  Writing equipment (pens, pencils etc)
 Basic stationery (ruler, highlighters etc)
 Classpad Calculator
Conditions:
 1 lesson, plus 4 weeks at home.
 Handed out in class on
 Submit no later than Friday 19 July 2024, 3pm
 Submissions may be paper (submit to your teacher) or digital (submit pdf via Compass)
 Include this booklet with your submission.
 Authentication interview to be conducted between teacher and student, mid task and at task completion.

Curriculum content descriptors addressed in this task

Matrix Arithmetic
2.2.1 apply matrix definition and notation
2.2.2 define and use addition and subtraction of matrices, scalar multiplication, matrix multiplication,
multiplicative identity, and inverse
2.2.3 calculate the determinant and inverse of 2 × 2 matrices and solve matrix equations of the form AX =
B, where A is a 2 × 2 matrix and X and B are column vectors

Structure of this task

Marks available Marks awarded
Interpret the task and gather the key
10
information
Identify the mathematics which could help
6
complete the task
Apply mathematical knowledge and strategies
51
to obtain a solution
Verify the reasonableness of the solution 4
Communicate findings in a systematic and
4
concise manner
Total 75
Investigation 2: Cryptography
Cryptography is the study of writing in secret code and it goes back to ancient times. Modern cryptography
combines the use of mathematics, computer science and engineering. Applications of cryptography include
ATM cards, computer passwords and electronic commerce. The first documented use of cryptography in
writing dates back to circa 1900 B.C. when an Egyptian scribe used non-standard hieroglyphs in an
inscription.
Polygraphic systems encode a group of plain sequence letters and use a square matrix of any size as the
coding matrix.
The digraphic system is the simplest polygraphic system and it uses a 2 x 2 coding matrix and a trigraphic
system uses a 3 x 3 coding matrix.
The choice of coding matrix is arbitrary as long as the matrix has an inverse.

NOTE: Prior to commencing the investigation, you will need to have completed and understood the
worksheet Matrices: Cryptography

Section A – Using Encoding Matrices

Task 1. Develop a cipher scheme for each of the following conditions:
A: alphabet + space = 27 elements (start at A = 0)
B: alphabet + space + punctuation = 31 elements (start at A = 0)

Task 2. Encode the message: HEAD FOR THE HILLS

- Use the coding matrix: [ 12 37]

- Use the cipher scheme A to create the message matrix.
- Reduce the resulting encoded matrix using the relevant modulo.
- Record the coded message.

Task 3. Use the coding matrix to calculate the decoding matrix.

Task 4. Use the decoding matrix to decipher the message:

X X J M B B D Z I T M T K T
- Show all relevant steps.
- Describe how you dealt with any negative values.

Task 5. Writing your own message.

Write your own message with a minimum of 30 characters.

[ ]
1 0 2
- Use the coding matrix 2 −1 1
0 1 2
- Use cipher scheme B to create the message matrix.
- Reduce the resulting encoded matrix using the relevant modulo.
- Record the coded message.
Task 6. Finding the Decoding Message
- Research how to find the inverse of a 3 ×3 matrix without the use of a classpad.
- Use this method to show that the decoding matrix (the inverse of the coding matrix shown
above) will be:

[ ]
−3 2 2
−4 2 3
2 −1 −1
- Show how to use the decoding matrix to decipher the message.
- Show all relevant steps.

Section B – Making Encoding Matrices – (2 ×2)

Encryption matrices are hard to break but sometimes new ones need to be generated. This situation can
occur when codes have fallen into the wrong hands and you need to adapt quickly.
For ease of use when entering numbers into technology, it is preferable to develop encoding and decoding
matrices that have integer elements only.
Task 1. Investigate creating Integer Encoding and Decoding Matrices

Using the encoding matrix from Section A: [ 12 37]

- Investigate the number of ways the elements can be placed so that the determinant remains the
same as the original.
- Record each matrix created with its determinant and its inverse.
- Investigate the number of ways the elements can be placed so that the determinant remains the
same in value as the original, but opposite in sign.
- Record each matrix created with its determinant and its inverse.

The elements of the original encoding matrix have been rearranged as shown: [ 71 32]
- Record its determinant and inverse.
- Using the results from above, describe the conditions necessary to generate (2 ×2) matrices
that have integer elements in both the encoding and decoding matrices.
Task 2. Generating Encoding Matrices

Generate 5 matrices with the following conditions:

- Size 2 ×2
- Encoding matrices have integer elements only
- Decoding matrices have integer elements only
Matrix 1 ¿ all elements positive
Matrix 2 ¿ all elements negative
Matrix 3 ¿ two elements negative
Matrix 4 ¿ one zero only
Matrix 5 [ 0 ¿ ] one zero only
- Record each matrix created with its determinant and its inverse.
- Describe the method used to generate these encoding matrices.

Section C – Making Encoding Matrices - (3 ×3)

Task 1.

[ ]
1 0 1
For matrix A= 0 2 1
1 1 1
- Use the technology to find det ⁡( A).
- Use the technology to find A−1.
Task 2.

Using Matrix A, create new matrices with the following conditions:

- Size 3 ×3
- Encoding matrices have integer elements only
- Decoding matrices have integer elements only
To create these new matrices, try each of the following row operations suggestions.
(Show algebraic solutions)
- Investigate exchanging one row with another.
- Investigate replacing one row with
“that row plus a multiple of another”
- Investigate replacing one row with
“a positive or negative multiple of that row”
For each new matrix created:
- Use technology to find det ⁡( A).
- Use the technology to find A−1.
Accept only those that meet the stated conditions.
From the results above,
- What do you notice about the effect each operation has on its determinant?
- What effect does it have on its inverse?

Task 3.
Using the encoding matrix from Section A to develop another three matrices that meet the stated
conditions. (Your working should demonstrate the use of row operations)

[ ]
−1 d e
For matrix A= 0 1 f
0 0 −1

Create new matrices with the following conditions:

- Size 3 ×3
- Encoding matrices have integer elements only
- Decoding matrices have integer elements only
Given incomplete Matrix A, enter three distinct numbers, non-zero, to replace d , e , and f .

[ ]
−1 ¿ ¿
A= 0 1 ¿
0 0 −1

- Use technology to find det ⁡( A).

- Use the technology to find A−1.

Perform the following operations on your matrix, one after another, to produce a final new matrix. Call this
new matrix M. For each operation, show the working out and then show the resulting new matrix:
a) a row operation to remove the zero in row 2 ( R2)
b) a row operation to remove the zeros in row 3 ( R3 )
c) R2 plus a multiple of another row
d) R3 plus a negative multiple of another row

- Use technology to find det ⁡( M ).

- Use the technology to find M −1.
- Did matrix M meet the requirements stated at the start?
- Can you generalise the method used?

Summarise the findings of this investigation using the Mathematical Thinking Process.
Your investigation should make use of the Mathematical Thinking Process and should include the
following:
1. Interpret the task and gather the key information (10 marks)
2. Identify the mathematics which could help complete the task (6 marks)
3. Apply mathematical knowledge and strategies to obtain a solution (51 marks)
4. Verify the reasonableness of the solution (4 marks)
5. Communicate findings in a systematic and concise manner (4 marks)

The format of the report may be written or digital. Your report may have a maximum of 10 A4 pages.
Marking key for Investigation 2: Cryptography

Description Marks available

Interpret the task and gather the key information.
Restates the task in own words with no mention of necessary info. 2/1 (D)
Restate the task required in own words leaving out some necessary info. 4 (C)
Restate the task required, mentioning most necessary info in own words 7 (B)
Completely restates the task in own words: 10 (A)
- what the investigation is about
- all facts to be considered
- any relevant assumptions and extensions
Identify the mathematics which could help complete the task.
Describes in limited terms the mathematics required to solve the problem. 1 (D)
Describe how you will solve the problem and some of the mathematics required to 2 (C)
solve the problem.
Describe how you will solve the problem and most of the mathematics required to 4 (B)
solve the problem.
Describe in detail how you will solve the problem and the mathematics required to 6 (A)
solve the problem.
Apply mathematical knowledge and strategies to obtain a solution
Calculates limited mathematics of what is required. 2 (D)
Completes some mathematics accurately (-1 for each part missing) 15 (C)
Completes most mathematics accurately. (-1 for each part missing) 30 (B)
Completes all mathematics accurately. 51 (A)

Section A (12 marks)

ü Task 1
ü Task 2
ü Task 3
üü Task 4
üüü Task 5
üx4 Task 6

Section B (12 marks)

ü x6 Task 1
ü x6 Task 2

Section C (27 marks)

ü Task 1
ü x8 Task 2
üx18 Task 3
Verify the reasonableness of the solution.
Solution has issues and does not meet criteria. 1/0 (D)
Solution is mostly correct and meets sets criteria. 2 (C)
Solution is mostly correct and meets sets criteria. 3 (B)
Solution is efficient.
Solution is correct. 4 (A)
Solution meets all set criteria.
Solution is efficient.
Considers limitations of the solution.

Communicate findings in a systematic and concise manner.

Limited mathematical language is used in the report. 1/0 (D)
The solution is stated.
Minimal methods are explained. Conclusion stated.
Report uses some mathematical language 2 (C)
The solution is stated.
Some methods are explained.
Report is clear utilising mostly mathematical language. 3 (B)
The solution is stated in relation to the task.
Methods are mostly clearly explained.
Report is clear, concise and uses correct mathematical language. 4 (A)
The solution is provided in an effective way and in relation to the task.
Mathematical thinking and methods have been explained clearly.
Final Total /75