Maple Bear Canadian School Barra da Tijuca

Mathematics/Year 8
Mr. Luiz Coelho
Unit 4: Geometric Transformations
Activities – Research Project

Research Project

You have learned about geometric transformations such as reflection, rotation and translation. You have also learned
about symmetry and asymmetry. Now, you will digitally edit some images and apply those concepts in real life.

But first, here’s a bit of Art History. The oldest known surviving example of the icon of Christ was painted in encaustic
on panel in the sixth century. It survived the period of destruction of images during the Iconoclastic disputes that
twice racked the Eastern church. It was preserved in Saint Catherine's Monastery, in the remote desert of the Sinai,
Egypt. The ancient image was revealed to be a very high-quality icon, probably produced in Constantinople.

Unknown artist (possibly working in Constantinople). Christ Pantocrator. Encaustic on wood. 6th Century.

What is interesting about this image of Christ is that, at a first glance, it might look very symmetric, but it isn’t. On the
right-hand side, the artist intended to depict a merciful Christ; on the left-hand side, the artist portrayed him as a
judge. Here’s what happens if the two halves are cut and reflected around a central, vertical axis:

One reflection depicts a peaceful face, the other one shows a much more stern Jesus Christ.
Truth to be told, no one has a perfectly symmetric face. Our two halves are slightly different. For every single face, a
reflection around a central vertical axis will produce two new faces, with very curious results.

For this research project, you will take three headshots (of you, and of two people you live with, if possible), and reflect
a copy of each half around a vertical axis. You will be surprised to notice how our halves can be so different from each
other!

You will also play with rotation and produce two rotated images per headshot. Do not forget to mention the angle and
direction of each rotation. For example, for the image below, I have rotated it 45° degrees in a clockwise direction,
then 90° in a counterclockwise direction.

This assignment is due by May 18th and is worth 1.5 point. Good luck!