$SL_2(\mathbb{N})$ is a free monoid on the generators $$ L=\left(\begin{array}{cc}1&0\\1&1\\\end{array}\right),\quad R=\left(\begin{array}{cc}1&1\\0&1\\\end{array}\right). $$ Let $SL_2^{(n)}(\mathbb{N})$ designate the set of words of length $n$ in these generators. I have a couple of questions about this family that seem within reach (i.e. are already known or could be determined by the good folks of mathoverflow). 1. What is the distribution of $\{\mathsf{tr}(M) : M\in SL_2^{(n)}(\mathbb{N})\}$? 2. What is the distribution of $\{\|M\|_{\infty} : M\in SL_2^{(n)}(\mathbb{N})\}$? 3. What is the joint distribution of the two quantities above? I'd prefer to know the limiting distribution $n\to\infty$ and some useful error term (if they exist), but any non-trivial bounds are welcome, or approximations to relevant functions of the matrices as functions of the $\{L,R\}$ decomposition $$ M(w)=\prod_{i=0}^{n-1}G_{w_i}, \quad w\in\{0,1\}^n, \quad G_0=L, \quad G_1=R, $$ Here are a few pictures of (dubious quality). Traces, $n=15,20,25$: [![enter image description here][1]][1] [![enter image description here][2]][2] [![enter image description here][3]][3] $L^{\infty}$, $n=15,20,25$: [![enter image description here][4]][4] [![enter image description here][5]][5] [![enter image description here][6]][6] Joint $n=15$ (the linear relationship seems to be $\mathsf{tr}(M)\approx \frac{9}{8}\|M\|_{\infty}$): [![enter image description here][7]][7] [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/7ATODAfe.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/2fyUumCM.png [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/kEDTsZDb.png [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/8M9IVfET.png [5]: https://i.sstatic.net/WxAX6raw.png [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/tCiw9oLy.png [7]: https://i.sstatic.net/33DWqOlD.png