Exploring Translations
A translation is a type of transformation. Other transformations include reflections, rotations, and dilations.
The result of a transformation is called the image. The original figure is called the pre-image.
Use the link below to explore translations:
- Click on the TRANSLATION button on the left.
- Click and drag the arrow head and observe what happens.
- Click and drag the pre-image (the red triangle) and observe what happens.
- Click and drag a vertex of the pre-image and observe what happens.
After you have explored several translations, answer the following questions in your math journal. Use the words pre-image and image in your responses.
- When you dragged the arrow head, how did the image compare to the pre-image? What stayed the same? What changed?
- When you dragged the pre-image, how did the image compare to the pre-image? What stayed the same? What changed?
- How did dragging the pre-image compare to dragging the arrow head? How were these translations alike? How were they different?
- When you dragged a vertex of the pre-image, how did the image compare to the pre-image? What stayed the same? What changed?
- Use the word bank to complete the sentences below:
- A translation is a transformation the changes the ________________ of a figure. A translation does not change the figure’s _________ or ________________.
- The result of a translation is called the ________. The ____________ figure is called the pre-image.
- For any translation, the image and pre-image are ______________.
WORD BANK:
Image, size, congruent, orientation, original, position