Physics I / Linear Transformations
Practice question · Multiple choice

Every linear transformation sends the origin to the origin. Why does that rule out translation, which seems the simplest transformation of all?

Hints
  1. Apply T(v)=v+aT(\vec{v}) = \vec{v} + \vec{a} to the zero vector.
  2. Ask why computer graphics uses 4×4 matrices for 3D.
Show the answer

A. Because linearity requires T(0)=0T(0) = 0 and translation moves it

Why

Translation fails the definition at a single point, the origin. Homogeneous coordinates embed the plane in 3D so that a shear there projects down to a translation here.

Read the lesson: Linear Transformations →

Practise Linear Transformations

The app has 6 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Physics I is free to start.

More questions on Linear Transformations