OCR Further Additional Pure AS 2022 June — Question 7 13 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFurther Additional Pure AS (Further Additional Pure AS)
Year2022
SessionJune
Marks13
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicGroups
TypeGroups of symmetries
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a standard Further Maths group theory question covering dihedral groups, but requires multiple concepts: visualizing symmetries, completing a Cayley table, identifying subgroups, and understanding group properties (cyclic, abelian). Part (e) comparing D₃ with C₆ requires deeper structural insight. While systematic, it's more demanding than typical A-level questions due to abstract algebra content and multi-part reasoning.
Spec8.03a Binary operations: and their properties on given sets8.03b Cayley tables: construct for finite sets under binary operation8.03c Group definition: recall and use, show structure is/isn't a group8.03f Subgroups: definition and tests for proper subgroups

7 The diagram below shows an equilateral triangle \(A B C\). The three lines of reflection symmetry of \(A B C\) (the lines \(a , b\) and \(c\) ) are shown as broken lines. The point of intersection of these three lines, \(O\), is the centre of rotational symmetry of the triangle. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{06496165-0b83-4050-ae26-fa5a0614bd46-4_533_538_884_246} The group \(D _ { 3 }\) is defined as the set of symmetries of \(A B C\) under the composition of the following transformations. \(i\) : the identity transformation \(a\) : reflection in line \(a\) \(b\) : reflection in line \(b\) \(c\) : reflection in line \(c\) \(p\) : an anticlockwise rotation about \(O\) through \(120 ^ { \circ }\) \(q\) : a clockwise rotation about \(O\) through \(120 ^ { \circ }\) Note that the lines \(a , b\) and \(c\) are unaffected by the transformations and remain fixed.
  1. On the diagrams provided in the Printed Answer Booklet, show each of the six elements of \(D _ { 3 }\) obtained when the above transformations are applied to triangle \(A B C\).
  2. Complete the Cayley table given in the Printed Answer Booklet.
  3. List all the proper subgroups of \(D _ { 3 }\).
  4. State, with justification, whether \(D _ { 3 }\) is
    1. cyclic,
    2. abelian.
  5. The group \(H\), also of order 6, is the set of rotational symmetries of the regular hexagon. Describe two structural differences between \(D _ { 3 }\) and \(H\). \section*{END OF QUESTION PAPER}

7 The diagram below shows an equilateral triangle $A B C$. The three lines of reflection symmetry of $A B C$ (the lines $a , b$ and $c$ ) are shown as broken lines. The point of intersection of these three lines, $O$, is the centre of rotational symmetry of the triangle.\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{06496165-0b83-4050-ae26-fa5a0614bd46-4_533_538_884_246}

The group $D _ { 3 }$ is defined as the set of symmetries of $A B C$ under the composition of the following transformations.\\
$i$ : the identity transformation\\
$a$ : reflection in line $a$\\
$b$ : reflection in line $b$\\
$c$ : reflection in line $c$\\
$p$ : an anticlockwise rotation about $O$ through $120 ^ { \circ }$\\
$q$ : a clockwise rotation about $O$ through $120 ^ { \circ }$\\
Note that the lines $a , b$ and $c$ are unaffected by the transformations and remain fixed.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item On the diagrams provided in the Printed Answer Booklet, show each of the six elements of $D _ { 3 }$ obtained when the above transformations are applied to triangle $A B C$.
\item Complete the Cayley table given in the Printed Answer Booklet.
\item List all the proper subgroups of $D _ { 3 }$.
\item State, with justification, whether $D _ { 3 }$ is
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item cyclic,
\item abelian.
\end{enumerate}\item The group $H$, also of order 6, is the set of rotational symmetries of the regular hexagon. Describe two structural differences between $D _ { 3 }$ and $H$.

\section*{END OF QUESTION PAPER}
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR Further Additional Pure AS 2022 Q7 [13]}}