Transformations in Math
Transformations
● A function, f, that maps to itself is called the
transformation, i.e., f: X → X. The pre-image X becomes
the image X after the transformation.
● This transformation can be any or the combination of
operations like translation, rotation, reflection, and dilation.
● The translation is moving a function in a specific direction
rotation is spinning the function about a point, reflection is
the mirror image of the function, and dilation is the scaling
of a function.
● Transformations in Math describe how two-dimensional
figures move around a coordinate plane.
Transformation of Translation
Translation of a 2-d shape causes sliding of that shape. To describe the
position of the blue figure relative to the red figure, let’s observe the relative
positions of their vertices. We need to find the positions of A′, B′, and C′
comparing its position with respect to the points A, B, and C. We find that A′,
B′, and C′ are:
● 8 units to the left of A, B, and C respectively.
● 3 units below A, B, and C respectively.
This translation can algebraically be translated as 8 units left and 3 units
down. i.e. (x,y) → (x-8, y-3)
Transformation of Reflection
● The type of transformation that occurs when each point in the shape is
reflected over a line is called the reflection. When the points are reflected
over a line, the image is at the same distance from the line as the pre-image
but on the other side of the line. Every point (p,q) is reflected onto an image
point (q,p). If point A is 3 units away from the line of reflection to the right of
the line, then point A' will be 3 units away from the line of reflection to the left
of the line. Thus the line of reflection acts as a perpendicular bisector
between the corresponding points of the image and the pre-image.
● Here is the graph of a quadratic function that shows the transformation of
reflection. The function f(x) = x3. The transformation of f(x) is g(x) = - x3 that
is the reflection of the f(x) about the x-axis.
Transformation of Rotation ● The transformation that rotates each point in the shape at a certain number of
degrees around that point is called rotation. The shape rotates counter-clockwise
when the number of degrees is positive and rotates clockwise when the number
of degrees is negative. The general rule of transformation of rotation about the
origin is as follows.
● To rotate 90º: (x,y) → (-y, x)
● To rotate 180º (x,y) → (-x,-y)
● To rotate 270º (x,y) → (y, -x)
● In the function graph below, we observe the transformation of rotation wherein the
pre-image is rotated to 180º at the center of rotation at (0,1). Let us observe the
rule of rotation being applied here from (x,y) to each vertex. The transformation
that is taken place here is from (x,y) → (-x, 2-y)
● (-2,4) →(2,-2), (-3,1) → (3,1) and (0,1 ) → (0,1)
Transformation of Dilation
● The transformation that causes the 2-d shape to stretch or shrink
vertically or horizontally by a constant factor is called the dilation.
● The vertical stretch is given by the equation y = a.f(x). If a > 1, the
function stretches with respect to the y-axis.
● If a < 1 the function shrinks with respect to the y-axis.
● The horizontal stretch is given by y = f.(ax). If a > 1, the function
shrinks with respect to the x-axis.
● If a < 1, the function stretches with respect to the x-axis.
