GCSE Math Notes: Geometry -
Transformations
Introduction to Transformations
Transformations are operations that move or change a geometric figure in some way
to produce a new figure. The original figure is called the pre-image, and the new figure
is called the image. In GCSE Math, the main types of transformations are reflection,
rotation, translation, and enlargement.
1. Reflection
A reflection (or flip) creates a mirror image of a figure across a line, called the line of
reflection.
Key Properties
The image is the same size and shape as the pre-image.
The orientation of the image is reversed.
Each point in the image is the same distance from the line of reflection as the
corresponding point in the pre-image.
Common Lines of Reflection
x-axis (y = 0): (x, y) maps to (x, -y)
y-axis (x = 0): (x, y) maps to (-x, y)
y = x: (x, y) maps to (y, x)
y = -x: (x, y) maps to (-y, -x)
Other lines: e.g., x = k or y = k
Example 1: Reflect the point A(2, 3) across the x-axis.
A(2, 3) reflects to A'(2, -3) .
2. Rotation
A rotation (or turn) moves a figure around a fixed point, called the centre of rotation,
by a certain angle and in a specific direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise).
Key Properties
The image is the same size and shape as the pre-image.
The orientation of the image is preserved.
All points rotate around the centre of rotation.
Common Rotations (Centre at Origin (0, 0))
Rotation Rule (x, y) maps to Direction
90° (-y, x) Anti-clockwise
180° (-x, -y) Anti-clockwise or Clockwise
270° (y, -x) Anti-clockwise
90° (y, -x) Clockwise
270° (-y, x) Clockwise
Example 2: Rotate the point B(4, 1) 90° anti-clockwise about the origin.
B(4, 1) rotates to B'(-1, 4) .
3. Translation
A translation (or slide) moves every point of a figure by the same distance in the same
direction. It is described by a vector.
Key Properties
The image is the same size and shape as the pre-image.
The orientation of the image is preserved.
The figure is simply moved without turning or flipping.
Translation Vector
A translation is represented by a column vector (a / b) , where a indicates
horizontal movement and b indicates vertical movement.
(x, y) maps to (x + a, y + b)
Example 3: Translate the point C(3, -2) by the vector (2 / 4) .
C(3, -2) translates to C'(3 + 2, -2 + 4) = C'(5, 2) .
4. Enlargement
An enlargement changes the size of a figure by a scale factor from a fixed point,
called the centre of enlargement.
Key Properties
The image is similar to the pre-image (same shape, different size).
The orientation is preserved.
All lengths are multiplied by the scale factor.
Areas are multiplied by the square of the scale factor ( scale factor² ).
Scale Factor and Centre of Enlargement
Scale Factor (k):
If k > 1 , the image is larger than the pre-image.
If 0 < k < 1 , the image is smaller than the pre-image (a reduction).
If k < 0 , the image is on the opposite side of the centre of enlargement
and is inverted.
Centre of Enlargement: The point from which the enlargement occurs.
To enlarge a point P(x, y) by scale factor k about the centre C(cx, cy) :
1. Find the vector from the centre to the point: CP = (x - cx / y - cy) .
2. Multiply this vector by the scale factor: k * CP = (k(x - cx) / k(y - cy)) .
3. Add the result to the centre of enlargement to find the image point P' :
P' = (cx + k(x - cx), cy + k(y - cy))
Example 4: Enlarge the point D(1, 2) by scale factor 2 about the origin (0, 0) .
1. D(1, 2) maps to D'(2 * 1, 2 * 2) = D'(2, 4) .
Example 5: Enlarge the point E(3, 5) by scale factor 3 about the centre (1, 1) .
1. Vector CE = (3 - 1 / 5 - 1) = (2 / 4) .
2. Scaled vector 3 * CE = (6 / 12) .
3. E' = (1 + 6, 1 + 12) = E'(7, 13) .
Practice Problems
1. Reflect the triangle with vertices (1, 1), (3, 1), (2, 4) across the line y =
x.
2. Rotate the point P(5, -2) 180° about the origin.
3. Translate the square with vertices (0, 0), (2, 0), (2, 2), (0, 2) by the
vector (-3 / 1) .
4. Enlarge the triangle with vertices (1, 1), (2, 1), (1, 3) by scale factor 2
about the centre (0, 0) .
References
[1] BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Transformations. Retrieved from
[Link] [2] Khan Academy. (n.d.).
Transformations. Retrieved from
[Link]