1. **Problem:** Write the permutation cycle of vertices for a cube rotated $90^\circ$ around an axis through opposite faces.
2. **Step 1:** Identify the four corners around the axis and label them as $1, 2, 3, 4$.
3. **Step 2:** The $90^\circ$ rotation moves each corner to the next, forming the cycle $$Q = (1\ 2\ 3\ 4).$$
4. **Step 3:** Powers of $Q$ describe multiples of $90^\circ$ rotations:
- $$Q^2 = (1\ 3)(2\ 4)$$ swaps opposite corners,
- $$Q^3 = (1\ 4\ 3\ 2)$$ cycles corners in the opposite direction,
- $$Q^4 = \mathrm{id}$$ is the identity (no change).
5. **Step 4:** For a cube rotated $120^\circ$ around an axis through opposite vertices, label neighbors $a,b,c$ around the vertex.
- The rotation cycle is $$P = (a\ b\ c),$$
- Powers: $$P^2 = (a\ c\ b),$$ $$P^3 = \mathrm{id}.$$
6. **Step 5:** For a $180^\circ$ rotation around axis through opposite edges, the permutation is the product of two disjoint transpositions: $$ (a\ c)(b\ d).$$
7. **Step 6:** For a tetrahedron with axis through vertex $1$ and opposite face vertices $2,3,4$:
- $120^\circ$ rotation cycle: $$R = (2\ 4\ 3),$$
- $240^\circ$ rotation: $$R^2 = (2\ 3\ 4),$$
- $360^\circ$ rotation: $$R^3 = \mathrm{id}.$$
8. **Step 7:** To find permutation for any "shape + axis + angle":
- Label moving vertices/faces as $1,2,3...$
- Trace their movement around the axis to form a cycle
- Raise the cycle to the power corresponding to the angle
- Analyze order and parity if needed.
**Final Answer:** The rotation of a cube or tetrahedron about specified axes corresponds to permutation cycles that can be expressed algebraically, with powers representing multiple rotations and cycles encoding the motion of vertices or faces.
Rotations Permutations
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