Eigenvalues of a rotation

What are the eigenvalues of the 2D rotation matrix (cos⁡θ−sin⁡θsin⁡θcos⁡θ)\begin{pmatrix} \cos\theta & -\sin\theta \\ \sin\theta & \cos\theta \end{pmatrix} when θ\theta is not a multiple of π\pi?

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  1. The characteristic polynomial is λ2−2cos⁡θ λ+1\lambda^2 - 2\cos\theta\,\lambda + 1.
  2. Roots are complex of modulus 1.

Answer

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e±iθ=cos⁡θ±isin⁡θe^{\pm i\theta} = \cos\theta \pm i\sin\theta

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