Let A=(prqs) . Since A is an orthogonal matrix, ATA=I .
So, (pqrs)(prqs)=(1001) .
This implies:
p2+r2=1
q2+s2=1
pq+rs=0
From (1), let p=a . Then r=±1−a2 .
From (2), let q=b . Then s=±1−b2 .
Substituting into (3), we get ab+(±1−a2)(±1−b2)=0 .
So, ab=∓(1−a2)(1−b2) .
Squaring both sides, a2b2=(1−a2)(1−b2)=1−a2−b2+a2b2 .
Thus, 1−a2−b2=0 , or a2+b2=1 .
So, b=±1−a2 .
Then s=±1−b2=±1−(1−a2)=±a2=±a .
If q=1−a2 , then ab+rs=a1−a2+rs=0 . Thus rs=−a1−a2 .
Case 1: If r=1−a2 , then s=−a . Thus A=(a1−a21−a2−a) .
Case 2: If r=−1−a2 , then s=a . Thus A=(a−1−a21−a2a) .
If q=−1−a2 , then ab+rs=−a1−a2+rs=0 . Thus rs=a1−a2 .
Case 3: If r=1−a2 , then s=a . Thus A=(a1−a2−1−a2a) .
Case 4: If r=−1−a2 , then s=−a . Thus A=(a−1−a2−1−a2−a) .
Therefore, putting b=1−a2 and ε=±1 , every such matrix has one of the two forms
(aεb−εba)or(aεbεb−a).
The first family has opposite off-diagonal signs and determinant 1 ; the second has equal off-diagonal signs and determinant −1 . These are exactly the four cases listed above.