Translation

Definition

Translation in geometry is the process of moving a shape or tessellation from one position to another without rotating, resizing, or otherwise deforming it. It involves sliding the shape along a straight line.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A translation requires a vector which specifies the direction and distance of the movement.
2. Translations maintain the orientation and size of the original shape.
3. In a coordinate plane, translations can be described using coordinate notation (x, y) → (x+a, y+b).
4. When tessellating a plane with translations, identical shapes are repeated without gaps or overlaps.
5. Translations are one of the three basic types of rigid transformations in geometry, alongside rotations and reflections.

Review Questions

• What information is needed to perform a translation?
• How does a translation affect the size and orientation of a shape?
• Explain how you would describe a translation using coordinates on a plane.

Related terms

Rotation: A transformation that turns a figure about a fixed point at a certain angle.

Reflection: A transformation creating a mirror image of a shape over a line or plane.

Tessellation: A pattern made by repeating shapes to cover a surface without any gaps or overlaps.