TRANSFORMATIONS

A transformation is an operation that transforms one point or a whole figure into another point or
figure.The starting point or figure before the transformation is called the object.The point or figure
after the transformation is called the image.The transformation may be a translation ,a reflection,a
rotation or an enlargement.

TRANSLATION: A translation is a transformation that moves all the points in a figure the same
distance and in the same direction.We describe a translation by saying ho

w far the figure moves horizontally,and how far it moves vertically.To do this we use column
vectors.For example a translation vector of (25) tells us to move +2 in 𝑥 − 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 and +5 in 𝑦 −
𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
+1
Exercise 1: Translate the triangle A by the vector :a) (+5). Call the image B.

b) (−3
+2
). Call the image C

3
D
2

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4
A

Note that : OBJECT + TRANSLATION VECTOR = IMAGE

1) c) Find the translation vector that translates triangle A onto triangle C.

d)Describe the transformation that maps triangle D onto triangle B.
e)Describe the transformation that maps triangle D onto triangle A 1
 2) a)Translate square S by the vector (+𝟔
−𝟐
) .Label the new square Q
𝟎
b) Translate square Q by the vector (+𝟑).Label the new square R

S 1

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

3)
Describe the transformation that maps
y a) the shaded triangle onto tringle i) A ii)B iii)C
6
b)triangle E onto C
5
A c) B onto D d ) D onto A
4

1
B
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 E 3 4 5 6 x
-1

-2

-3
C
-4
D
-5

-6

2
REFLECTION : is the image of an object in a mirror line .There is no change in the shape or the
size of the figure after reflection.Any points on the mirror line do not move or change at all during
reflection.Points that do not move during reflection are called invariant points.

Exercise: 1) Reflect the given object A in:

a) 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 ,call the image B

b) 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 ,call the image C
c) 𝑥 = −2,call the image D
d) 𝑦 = 𝑥 ,call the image E

2
A
1

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

2)Reflect the figure G in the line a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 line , call it G’

b) 𝑦 = −𝑥 line, call it G’’

c) 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 ,call it G’’’

d) 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠,call it H.Write down the invariant points.

3
 y

1
G
x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

4) i)Reflect triangle ABC a) in 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.Call its image A’B’C’

ii)Reflect triangle A’B’C’ in 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠. Call its image A’’’B’’’C’’’.

4
C
3

1
A B
x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

4
ROTATION: is a circular movement.Rotation takes place around a fixed point called the centre of
rotation.The amount of rotation is measured in degrees,called the angle of rotation.Rotation can be in
a clockwise(-) direction or in an anticlockwise(+) direction.

Exercise 1: a) Rotate rectangle A through 90° in clockwise direction with centre (0,0).Call it B
b) Rotate rectangle A through + 90° with centre (0,0).Call it C .
c) Rotate rectangle A through 180° with centre (0,0).Call it D.
d) Rotate rectangle A through 90° in anticlockwise direction with centre (-1,1).Call it E

2 A

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4
 y
2) Rotate triangle T by 180° about

the point (-1,0).Label it U.

4

3
T
2

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

5
3)Rotate shape A i)90° anticlockwise about the origin.Label it B ii)180° about the origin.Label it C.

iii)90° clockwise about the point (2,0). Label it D.

iv) Describe fully the single transformation that maps B onto C.

2 A

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2

–3

–4

ENLARGEMENT:means ‘to make bigger’and so the size of the image is different from
the size the object after this transformation.To enlarge a figure we have to know the centre
of enlargement which can be any convenient point that can be outside or inside the object
figure.Also we need to know the scale factor which tells us how many times bigger than the
object the image will be.The scale factor is defined as:
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒
Scale factor=𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 =k

Note that: If 𝑘 > 1 the image will be larger than the object

If 𝑘 < 1 the image will be smaller than the object.

If k=1 size of object and size of image are equal.

To find the centre of enlargement

✓ join the corresponding vertices of the object and the image figures with
straight lines.
✓ Extend these lines until they all meet at one point.This point is the centre of
enlargement.

6
Exercise 1: y

2 A

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1
BB
–2

–3

–4

1
a)Enlarge triangle A with a scale factor of 𝑘 = 2 about the centre (-2,1).Label the image A’.
1
b)Enlarge square B with a scale factor of 𝑘 = about the centre (-1,2).Label the image B’.
3
c) Enlarge triangle A with a scale factor of k=2 about the centre (3,4).Label the image A’’.
Exercise : 2 a)Describe the transformation that maps triangle A onto triangle B.
b) Describe the transformation that maps triangle B onto triangle A.

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 A1 2 3 4 5
–1

–2
B
–3

–4

7
Combining Transformations:

Ex:Describe the transformation that maps :

a) triangle G onto triangle T

b) Triangle T onto triangle H
c) Triangle T onto triangle J
d) Triangle T onto triangle E
e)Triangle G onto Triangle K

4
J
3
H
2
T G
1

x
O
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1

E –2

–3

K
–4