A transformation moves or reorients a point or shape on the coordinate plane while preserving its size and shape: translations shift it horizontally or vertically, reflections flip it across an axis, and rotations turn it about a specified center, commonly the origin. The relationship between corresponding coordinates, preimage and image, and position, orientation, and distance can be described in words and on coordinate grids; arbitrary centers, formal coordinate rules, compositions, and dilations are beyond this scope.
A transformation moves a point or shape on a coordinate plane without changing its size or shape. For example:
In a transformation, the original figure is called the preimage, and the new figure is called the image. Matching points are called corresponding points.
Example: Triangle has vertices
Translate the triangle units right and units up. Find the new coordinates.
Step 1: Move each point horizontally.
Moving units right means add to each -coordinate:
Step 2: Move each point vertically.
Moving units up means add to each -coordinate:
The image of the triangle has vertices
The corresponding points are and , and , and and . The triangle has moved, but its side lengths, angles, and overall shape stayed the same. On a coordinate grid, draw the original triangle, move every vertex units right and units up, and connect the new vertices.
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