Introduction to Transformation

Groups in Modern Geometry

The study of transformation groups is a fundamental pillar of modern geometry. These groups, which are sets of transformations
equipped with a special mathematical structure, provide a powerful framework for understanding the symmetries and properties of
geometric objects. Transformations, in their simplest form, are operations that change the position or orientation of a shape in
space. These transformations can be thought of as rigid motions, where the shape remains unchanged except for its location. Think
of them as moving a piece on a chessboard without altering its form. The beauty of transformation groups lies in their ability to
unveil the hidden patterns and symmetries within geometric objects. By understanding how these groups act on shapes, we gain
insights into the underlying structure and characteristics of those objects.

ji
by jeff isidro
Definition of a Group
A group is a mathematical structure composed of a set of elements and a binary operation that combines these elements. A group
is characterized by four key properties: closure, associativity, identity, and inverses. These properties ensure that the group's
elements and operations form a cohesive and well-behaved structure.

Closure Associativity
The combination of any two elements within the group The order in which elements are combined does not affect
always results in another element within the group. the outcome.

Identity Inverses
The group contains a special element that leaves any other For each element in the group, there exists an inverse
element unchanged when combined with it. element that, when combined, results in the identity
element.
Symmetry Groups
Symmetry groups arise when we consider the transformations that leave a particular object unchanged. These transformations
preserve the object's overall form and appearance, but they might shift or rotate it within space. Imagine a snowflake; it possesses a
high degree of symmetry. We can rotate it by certain angles, or reflect it across certain lines, and it will still look identical. The set of
all transformations that maintain this symmetry forms the symmetry group of the snowflake.

1 Rotational Symmetry 2 Reflectional Symmetry 3 Translational Symmetry

The object looks the same after The object looks the same after The object looks the same after
rotating it by a certain angle. reflecting it across a line. shifting it in a certain direction.
Isometries and Their
Classification
Isometries are a special class of transformations that preserve distances between
points. They are the rigid motions that maintain the shape and size of objects. These
transformations play a crucial role in geometry, as they allow us to analyze the
relationships between different points and figures in a way that respects their geometric
properties. Isometries can be classified into four fundamental types: rotations,
reflections, translations, and glide reflections.

Type Description

Rotation Turns a figure around a fixed point.

Reflection Flips a figure across a line.

Translation Slides a figure in a straight line.

Glide Reflection Combines a reflection and a

translation.
Rotations, Reflections, and
Translations
Rotations, reflections, and translations are the fundamental building blocks of isometries. They form
the basis of geometric analysis and provide a powerful language for describing the transformations
that occur in space. Rotations are characterized by an angle and a fixed point. A reflection is defined by
a line across which the figure is flipped. And a translation is determined by a direction and a distance.

Rotation
Turning a figure around a fixed point.

Reflection
Flipping a figure across a line.

Translation
Sliding a figure in a straight line.
The Euclidean Group and its Properties
The Euclidean group, denoted as E(n), is the group of all isometries in n-dimensional Euclidean space. This group encompasses
rotations, reflections, translations, and glide reflections, and it captures the fundamental symmetries of Euclidean geometry. It is a
continuous group, meaning that its elements can vary smoothly. This property allows for a more refined analysis of geometric
transformations.

Closure Associativity Identity

The composition of two isometries is The order of composition of three or The identity isometry is a special
also an isometry. more isometries does not affect the transformation that leaves all points
outcome. unchanged.
The Concept of Group Actions
Group actions provide a framework for understanding how groups interact with sets. They are essential for studying the symmetries
and properties of objects. In the context of transformation groups, a group action describes how a group of transformations acts on
a set of points or geometric objects. The group action maps each element of the group to a transformation of the set. This means
that each group element corresponds to a specific way of moving, rotating, or reflecting the objects within the set.

Transformations Orbits Stabilizers

The action of the group elements on the The set of all points that can be reached The set of all group elements that fix a
set. by applying the group elements to a particular point in the set.
specific point.
Orbits and Stabilizers
Orbits and stabilizers are fundamental concepts in the study of group actions. They provide insights into the structure and behavior of groups and
how they act on sets. Orbits describe the set of all points that can be reached by applying the group elements to a particular point. They represent
the paths traced by a point under the influence of the group's transformations. Stabilizers are subgroups of the group that leave a specific point
unchanged. They represent the symmetries of the point under the action of the group. The relationship between orbits and stabilizers is a
cornerstone of the theory of group actions, providing a powerful tool for understanding the symmetries and properties of geometric objects.

Orbit
The set of all points that can be reached by applying the group elements to a specific point.

1 2

Stabilizer
The set of all group elements that fix a particular point in the set.
Applications of Transformation Groups
Transformation groups have a wide range of applications in mathematics, physics, and other scientific disciplines. They play a crucial role in understanding the
symmetries and properties of objects, providing a framework for analyzing and classifying geometric structures. For instance, in physics, transformation groups are
essential in understanding the behavior of physical systems under various transformations, such as rotations and translations. The study of symmetry groups also has
profound implications for understanding the nature of space and time, leading to deeper insights into the fundamental laws of physics.

Crystallography Particle Physics

Symmetry groups help classify the structures of crystals. Transformation groups are used to describe the symmetries of elementary
particles.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
The study of transformation groups offers a powerful framework for understanding the
symmetries and properties of geometric objects. These groups are fundamental to modern
geometry, providing a language for describing and analyzing geometric transformations. They
have applications in various fields, from physics and chemistry to art and architecture.

1 Transformations 2 Groups
Operations that change the position or Sets of transformations equipped with
orientation of a shape in space. a mathematical structure that ensures
closure, associativity, identity, and
inverses.

3 Symmetry Groups 4 Isometries

Sets of transformations that leave a Transformations that preserve
particular object unchanged, distances between points, ensuring
preserving its overall form and rigid motions that maintain the shape
appearance. and size of objects.
 3

Activity: Symmetries of an Equilateral Triangle

1
2

I Identity, Rotation of an angle of 0! + (n) (360! )

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛 = 1,2,3, … ) 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝑅" Reflection about the x axis through vertex 1
𝑅# Reflection about the x axis through vertex 2
𝑅$ Reflection about the x axis through vertex 3
R(120) Rotation through an angle of 120 counterclockwise
R(240) Rotation through an angle of 240 counterclockwise
 I 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑 R(120) R(240)
I
𝑹𝟏
𝑹𝟐
𝑹𝟑
R(120)
R(240)
Activity: Permutation Group Symbols

Two rows of numbers are used to define a transformation. The first row
shows the original vertices, and the second row shows the new position of
those vertices. These useful permutation group symbols should not be
interpreted as matrices, and the operation used with them is not matrix
multiplication.

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
𝑅" 𝑅# 𝑅$
1 3 2 3 2 1 2 1 3

1 2 3 1 2 3
𝑅(120) 𝑅(240)
2 3 1 3 1 2
Activity: Permutation Group Symbols

Note that there are equivalent forms for permutations symbols:

1 2 3 3 2 1 3 1 2
𝑅" and and
1 3 2 2 3 1 2 1 3

Example:
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
𝑅" 𝑅# = =
1 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 2

Perform:
a. R(120)𝑅#
b. R(240)R(120)