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T04 DOC Geometric Transformations

The document discusses geometric transformations, specifically rigid motions or isometries, which include translations, axial symmetries, and rotations. It explains each type of transformation with definitions, examples, and the mathematical principles behind them. Additionally, it highlights that complex transformations can be a sequence of multiple rigid motions.

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Eduardo Belenguer
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10 views3 pages

T04 DOC Geometric Transformations

The document discusses geometric transformations, specifically rigid motions or isometries, which include translations, axial symmetries, and rotations. It explains each type of transformation with definitions, examples, and the mathematical principles behind them. Additionally, it highlights that complex transformations can be a sequence of multiple rigid motions.

Uploaded by

Eduardo Belenguer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Didáctica de la matemática

Universidad de Alicante

T04 – GEOMETRIC TRANSFORMATIONS

Rigid motions or isometries. Rigid motions (or isometries) of a plane are those plane
geometric transformations that preserve the size (distances) and shape (angles).

Types of isometries:

- Translations
- Symmetries
- Rotations

Translations. Translations are transformations that are determined by a vector. A


translation by vector 𝑢⃗ is a transformation that assigns, to any point P on the plane, another
̅̅̅̅̅ = 𝑢
point P’ so that 𝑃𝑃’ ⃗ . It is said that P’ is the image of P under the translation by vector
⃗ , which is denoted by 𝑇𝑢⃗ (𝑃) = 𝑃′.
𝑢

The coordinates or components of a vector 𝑢 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are


⃗ =𝐴𝐵
the coordinates of the head minus the coordinates of the
origin:

Addition / Subtraction of vectors:

In the following figure, the triangle ∆E’F’G’ is the translated triangle of ∆EFG.

Note that the coordinate of E is (2,2) and that of E’,


its image, is (5,4). Thus, it is concluded that E was
shifted 3 units to the right and 2 units up.

Check that the same occurs with F and G, regarding


F’ and G’.

Then, the translation vector is 𝑢


⃗ = (3,2).

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Didáctica de la matemática
Universidad de Alicante

Axial symmetries or reflections. Axial symmetries or reflections are transformations


that are determined by an axis of symmetry. A symmetry with respect to an axis r is a
transformation that assigns any point P on the plane to another point P’, so that ̅̅̅̅̅ 𝑃𝑃’ is
perpendicular to r and d(P,r) = d(P’,r). It is said that P’ is the image of P with respect to
̅̅̅̅̅. It is written: Sr(P) = P’.
the axis r if r is the perpendicular bisector of segment 𝑃𝑃’

In the following figure, the triangle ∆E’F’G’ is the symmetric of the triangle of ∆EFG.

We observe that, if we join F and F’, the axis


of symmetry r is perpendicular to the segment
̅̅̅̅̅
𝐹𝐹’ and the distance from F to the line r is the
same as the distance from F’ to the line r. Then
we conclude that the axis of symmetry (r) is the
̅̅̅̅̅.
bisector of the segment 𝐹𝐹’

Check that the same occurs with E and G,


regarding E’ and G’.

Then r is the axis of symmetry.

Symmetrical figures are those in which what is on one side of the axis of symmetry is the
mirror image of what is on the other side. The axis is called axis of symmetry of the
figure. A symmetrical figure can have more than one axis. The center of symmetry is the
point of intersection of the axes of symmetry.

Rotations. Rotations are transformations that are determined by a point (center of


rotation) and an angle. A rotation of center O and angle a is a transformation that assigns,
̂′ = 𝑎 and d(P,O)=d(P’,O). It is
to any point P on the plane, another point P’ so that 𝑃𝑂𝑃
said that P’ is the image of P by a rotation of center O and angle a. It is written GO,a (P) =
P’.

By convention, the angle is negative if the advance from P to P’ occurs clockwise.


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Didáctica de la matemática
Universidad de Alicante

In the following triangle, ∆E’F’G’ is the rotation of the triangle ∆EFG.

We observe that if we join F and F’, the angle


^FOF’ = - 90º (clockwise) and the distance
from F to the point O is the same as the
distance from F’ to the point O. Then we
conclude that O is the center of the rotation
with angle -90º.

Check that the same occurs with E and G


regarding E’ and G’.

Then O is the center of rotation of a rotation


with angle -90º.

NOTE: 180 degree rotations are also called central symmetries.

Sequence of rigid motions or transformations. In practice, most rigid motions are not
simple, but rather a composition of several rigid motions. For example, if someone says
“turn around and come toward me”, you have to make a 180 degree rotation and a
translation. This is a sequence of rigid motions or transformations.

References: Carrillo, J., Contreras, L.C. Transformaciones geométricas. En E. Castro (Editor)


(2002) Didáctica de la Matemática en la Educación Primaria. Madrid: Síntesis.

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