GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS MADE EASY by Bruce Nzombe

+263774629660

TRANSOFRMATIONS NOTES

Transformation basics
 A transformation matrix is a matrix that is pre-multiplied by the object matrix to
give an image matrix.
 An object matrix is a matrix whose entries are the vertices of the object shape.
 A transformation matrix may be representing a certain type of transformation which
can be a, reflection, rotation, enlargement, stretch or shear.
 An object is referred to as the original shape before any transformations occur.
 An image is an outcome when a transformation occurs.
 When drawing shapes and diagrams in transformations ensure that:
a) the x-axis and y-axis must be clearly labelled.
b) a suitable scale is used along each axis when a scale is not already given.
However, in most cases, the scale will be given.
c) the plotted points and shapes are labelled and the vertices are in correct order.
d) faint construction lines are used and avoid making the Cartesian plane dirty.
 There are two kinds of transformations namely isometric and non-isometric.

Isometric transformations
 If a transformation occurs to an object, the resulting image is identical to the object in
shape, though the positions and directions they face may differ.
 Therefore, they can be called congruent transformations.
 Examples of isometric transformations are translation, reflection and rotation.

Translation
 Note that, one can count boxes of the graph to find the vertices of images.
 Object Matrix + Translation Vector = Image matrix

Reflection
 Another isometric transformation is a reflection.
 It involves the mirror or reflection line and finding the equation of the mirror line.
 Remember that, there is equal distance from the object to the mirror line as well as
from the mirror line to the image.
𝟏 𝟎
 The transformation matrix for reflection in the x-axis is ( ).
𝟎 −𝟏
−𝟏 𝟎
 The transformation matrix for reflection in the y-axis is ( ).
𝟎 𝟏
𝟎 𝟏
 The transformation matrix for reflection in the line y = x is ( ).
𝟏 𝟎

Notes by Bruce Nzombe (BScEd Mathematics) +263774629660 1

 GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS MADE EASY by Bruce Nzombe
+263774629660
𝟎 −𝟏
 The transformation matrix for reflection in the line y = − x is ( ).
−𝟏 𝟎
 Transformation matrix × Object matrix = Image matrix.

Rotation
 This isometric transformation involves the:
1. centre or point of rotation.
2. angle of rotation (90°, 180°).
3. direction, can be clockwise or anticlockwise.
 However, angle and direction are tied together.
 Note, rotating through 90° clockwise is the same as rotating through 270°
anticlockwise, and vice versa.
 Follow these steps:
1. Start by drawing a broken faint line from any point of your choice on the
shape to the centre using a ruler.
2. Construct the angle with a compass or use a protractor from the broken line.
3. There should be two broken lines all from the centre. The one from a chosen
point on the object to the centre and the one from the constructed angle.
4. After constructing the angle, using a compass or protractor, position your
compass at the centre and open it following the broken lines until the chosen
point is reached.
5. Lastly, rotate the point in the desired direction until you meet the other broken
line.
6. Repeat the process for every point and get all corresponding rotated points of
the image shape.
 The transformation matrix for a clockwise rotation of 90° about the origin is
𝟎 𝟏
( ).
−𝟏 𝟎
−𝟏 𝟎
 The transformation matrix for a rotation of 180° about the origin is ( ).
𝟎 −𝟏
 The transformation matrix for a clockwise rotation of 270° (anti-clockwise rotation of
𝟎 −𝟏
90°) about the origin is ( ).
𝟏 𝟎
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 −𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽
 The general transformation matrix for rotation is ( ) , where θ is the
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
angle of rotation.
 Transformation matrix × Object matrix = Image matrix.

Non-isometric transformation
 In non-isometric transformation, the object and image are not identical.
 The examples of such types of transformations are enlargement, stretch and shear.
 They can be called non-congruent transformations.

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 GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS MADE EASY by Bruce Nzombe
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Enlargement
 Enlargement involves the:
a) centre of enlargement.
b) scale or enlargement factor.
c) positive or negative enlargement.
 Steps to follow are:
1. Take any point of choice from the object shape.
2. Draw a broken line from the point of choice to the centre.
3. Extend the broken faint line in a straight-line motion.
4. Measure the distance moved from the chosen point to the centre.
5. Multiply the distance measured by the given scale factor, do not consider the
negative.
6. From the centre, measure the distance which was multiplied by the scale factor
and locate the new point.
7. If the scale factor has a negative sign, move the broken line in an opposite
direction.
8. If the scale factor has a positive sign, extend the broken line in its direction
9. Repeat the same process for all remaining points.
 In a positive enlargement, the image and the object must be on the same side of the
centre of enlargement and face the same direction.
 In a negative enlargement, the image and the object must be on opposite sides of the
centre of enlargement and face opposite directions.
 If the enlargement factor is between -1 and 1, the image will be smaller than the
object.
 If the enlargement factor is less than -1 or greater than 1, the image will be bigger
than the object.
𝒌 𝟎
 The matrix for enlargement with centre origin, scale factor, k is ( )
𝟎 𝒌
 Transformation matrix × Object matrix = Image matrix.

Stretch
 A stretch is a transformation of a plane in which all the points, except those on the
invariant/fixed line, move perpendicular to that fixed-line, in such a way that the
distance that each point moves from the invariant line is proportional to the points
original distance from the same invariant line.
 This constant proportionality is called the stretch or scale factor which can either
be a positive or negative real number.
 In stretch transformations, always consider the:
a) invariant line or axis.
b) stretch scale factor.
c) stretch matrix.

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 GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS MADE EASY by Bruce Nzombe
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 If the invariant line is the y-axis, then y points are fixed but all other points move
perpendicular to the invariant axis.
 If the invariant line is the x-axis, then x points are fixed but all other points move
perpendicular to the invariant axis.
 If the stretch factor is between -1 and 1, the image will be smaller than the object.
 If the stretch factor is less than -1 or greater than 1, the image will be bigger than
the object.
 If it’s a negative stretch,
1. the object and the image appears on the opposite side of the invariant axis,
2. orientation is reversed. The shape is turned inside-out like it crossed a
mirror, the object and the image must face opposite directions.
 If it’s a positive stretch,
1. the object and the image stays on the same side of the invariant axis,
2. orientation is preserved. No flipping, no drama, the object and the image
must face same direction.
𝟏 𝟎
 ( ) is a stretch transformation matrix, x-axis invariant (parallel to the y-axis),
𝟎 𝒌
where k is the stretch factor of the transformation.
𝒌 𝟎
 ( ) is a stretch transformation matrix, y-axis invariant (parallel to the x-axis),
𝟎 𝟏
where k is the stretch factor of the transformation.
 Transformation matrix × Object matrix = Image matrix.

Shear
 A shear is a transformation of the plane in such a way that all points, except those on
the fixed-line (invariant line), move parallel to the invariant line through a distance
that is proportional to their perpendicular distance from that same fixed or invariant
line.
 Note that, all points on the invariant line remain fixed.
 Shearing always takes places parallel to some invariant line.
 The area of any shape is preserved.
 In shear consider the:
a) scale factor.
b) invariant line or axis.
c) shear matrix.
 A negative shear is one with a negative scale factor and the object and image will
face opposite directions.
 A positive shear has a positive scale factor and the image and object will be facing
the same direction.
𝟏 𝒌
 ( ) is a shear transformation matrix, x-axis invariant (parallel to the x-axis),
𝟎 𝟏
where k is the shear factor of the transformation.

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 GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS MADE EASY by Bruce Nzombe
+263774629660
𝟏 𝟎
 ( ) is a shear transformation matrix, y-axis invariant (parallel to the y-axis),
𝒌 𝟏
where k is the shear factor of the transformation.
 To find the invariant axis, pick a point and its image then join them with a straight
line. The invariant axis is parallel to that line.
 How to find the shear factor k,
o For a horizontal shear (x-axis invariant)
𝑥′− 𝑥
 k= , where x’ is the x-coordinate on the image shape and x is the
𝑦
respective x-coordinate on the object shape and y is the respective
y-coordinate on either the image or object shape.
o For a vertical shear (y-axis invariant)
𝑦′− 𝑦
 k= , where y’ is the y-coordinate on the image shape and y is the
𝑥
respective y-coordinate on the object shape and x is the respective
x-coordinate on either the image or object shape.
 Transformation matrix × Object matrix = Image matrix.

Notes by Bruce Nzombe (BScEd Mathematics) +263774629660 5