predict and describe positions
and orientations of two-dimensional shapes after transformations
such as reflections, rotations, and translations.
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.
Advanced Versions Now Available!!
misterteacher.com now has more advanced versions of the transformations
SMARTBoard mini-movies
below. These versions show the letters transforming over a coordinate
plane. Click on the links below to preview the mini-movies.
A
FLIP takes place when a shape is flipped across a line and faces the
opposite direction. Because the shape ends up facing the opposite
direction, it appears to be reflected, as in a mirror. Hence the name
REFLECTION.
Click
on the play button to the right to watch the letter N flip, or reflect.
Click on the play button to watch it again.
A
FLIP can also take place across a line in an up and down direction.
In fact, a flip can take place in any direction. All you need to remember
is the shape ends up facing the opposite direction and it appears
to be reflected, as in a mirror. Hence the name REFLECTION.
Click
on the play button to the right to watch the letter T flip, or reflect.
Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
A
SLIDE takes place when a shape moves in one direction from one place
to another. When you watch the shape move, it appears to be sliding.
Often you will see an arrow underneath the shape to show what direction
it is moving in.
Click
on the play button to the right to watch the letter H slide, or translate.
Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
Think
About It
Look at the two H's above. Imagine
you had not seen the slide take place and I told you that this was
an example of a flip (reflection). Would this be true or false?
(Click one of the buttons below)
A
letter can also SLIDE at an angle away from its original position.
When you watch the W move, it appears to be sliding down and to the
right. Notice it still looks exactly the same, just in a different
position.
Click
on the play button to the right to watch the letter W slide, or translate.
Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
Think
About It
Just like the H above, the W
would look exactly the same if flipped, or reflected across a vertical
line. So imagine you had not seen the slide take place and I told
you that this was an example of a flip (reflection). Would this
be true or false? (Click one of the buttons below)
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 to the right to watch the letter T turn, or rotate.
Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
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 to the right to watch the letter A turn, or rotate.
Click on the rewind button to watch it again.
Now
that you have seen the three types of transformations that shapes
can undergo, it is time to test your knowledge. Click on the link
below to take a quiz on transformations.
