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Transformations - Rotations
Contents
Students should be able to:
- Predict and describe positions and orientations of two-dimensional shapes after transformations such as reflections, rotations, and translations.
Definition
The word transform means "to change." In geometry, a transformation changes the position of a shape on a coordinate plane. What that really means is that a shape is moving from one place to another. There are three basic transformations:
- Flip (Reflection)
- Slide (Translation)
- Turn (Rotation)
Being able to visualize the movement of a shape is very important. The SMARTBoard mini-movies below show a letter, or a polygon (after all, block letters are really just polygons), in their original positions before being transformed. By clicking the play button, we are able to watch the path the letter takes while being transformed and see their ending positions after the slide, flip, or turn has taken place.
Turn (Rotation)
A letter can also turn on a point away from its original position. When you watch the T move, it turns, or rotates in place so that it now looks like it is laying on its side. It almost looks like a clock hand turning around the face of a clock.
Click on the play button above to watch the letter T turn, or rotate. Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
Turn (Rotation)
Now watch the letter A turn. When you watch the A move you'll notice that it moves from its original position, but still turns to its side. It also looks like a clock hand turning around the face of a clock.
Click on the play button above to watch the letter A turn, or rotate. Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
