Translation
Sliding a shape without turning or flipping it. Every point moves the same distance in the same direction.
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Analogy
Like pushing a chess piece along the board.
Example
Move 3 right, 4 downNew point: (2 + 3, 1 - 4)= (5, -3)
In practice
A sliding door translates along its track.
Practice
Flashcards
- Translate (2, 1) by the vector (3, -4).(5, -3). Move 3 right and 4 down.
Questions people ask
How do you write a translation?
Use a column vector with two numbers. The top number is the move right (positive) or left (negative). The bottom number is the move up (positive) or down (negative). The vector (3, -4) means 3 right and 4 down. Always write the horizontal move first and the vertical move second, with brackets around the column.
Does a translation turn the shape?
No. The shape stays in the same orientation, only its position changes. Every corner moves by exactly the same amount. The shape stays the same size and facing the same way as before. This is what separates it from a rotation, where the shape turns around a point as it moves.