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Translation (Geometry)
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
A translation is a transformation that slides every point of a figure the same distance in the same direction.
Key Points:
The figure does not turn or flip — it just moves.
A translation is a rigid motion, so the shape and size of the figure stay the same.
Every point in the figure moves parallel paths.
Translations can be described using a coordinate rule, such as: (x, y) → (x + a, y + b), where a is the horizontal shift and b is the vertical shift.
Example:
If a point at (2, 3) is translated using the rule (x, y) → (x + 4, y - 2), it moves to (6, 1).
Video
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