A translation is what occurs when we move an object or shape from one place to another without changing its size, shape or orientation. Sometimes called a SLIDE, a translation moves every point on an object or shape the same distance in the same direction.

Have a quick play with this interactive. Here you can move the balloon horizontally (left or right) or vertically (up or down). Notice how the balloon does not change shape, it just slides across the page from one place to another.

Created with Geogebra

To identify and describe a translation

firstly look for corresponding points on the object
identify if the object has moved horizontally or vertically, and then describe that movement as left/right or up/down
count the number of places (or units) that the object has moved

Example

Describe the translation from A to B.

1. Firstly look for corresponding points on the object

I've highlighted a pair of corresponding points in yellow

2. Identify if the object has moved horizontally or vertically, and then describe that movement as left/right or up/down

I can see that the shape has a horizontal translation and that from A to B, the object moves left.

3. Count the number of places (or units) that the object has moved

Counting the units using my corresponding points I can see that it has moved 3 units.

So the translation from A to B is 3 units left.

This applet shows the translation of an object to its image. You can use the sliders to change the horizontal and vertical amounts.

Created with Geogebra

Let's have a look at the following worked solutions.

Question 1

What is the translation from triangle $B$B to triangle $A$A?

Two shaded triangles positioned on a grid. The triangle on the left is shaded green and labeled B, while the triangle on the right is shaded purple and labeled A. Both triangles are identical in shape and size; their only difference is their position on the grid.

$2$2 units $left$
A
$2$2 units $right$
B
$3$3 units $left$
C
$3$3 units $right$
D

Question 2

What is the translation from square $B$B to square $A$A?

Two identically shaped square, labeled A and B are placed on a grid. Square $A$`A` is shaded in purple and square $B$`B` which shaded in green. Square $A$`A` is on the bottom and square $B$`B` is on the top.

$3$3 units $up$
A
$3$3 units $down$
B
$4$4 units $up$
C
$4$4 units $down$
D

Question 3

What is the translation from quadrilateral $A$ to quadrilateral $B$ ?

In the Cartesian coordinate place, two quadrilaterals are graphed side by side labeled as $A$`A` and $B$`B`. Quadrilateral $A$`A` is shaded green. Quadrilateral $B$`B` of the same shape is shaded blue. Quadrilateral $A$`A` is on the bottom-right side of quadrilateral $B$`B`.

$2$2 units $left$ and $4$4 units $down$
A
$4$4 units $left$ and $2$2 units $down$
B
$2$2 units $right$ and $4$4 units $up$
C
$4$4 units $right$ and $2$2 units $up$
D

Translations II

Translations

Example

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

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