What a translation means
A translation moves every point of a figure the same distance in the same direction. The shape, size, and orientation do not change.
How to describe it
- Pick one point on the original figure and its matching point on the image.
- Count the movement from the original point to the new one.
- Count how many units you move left/right.
- Then count how many units you move up/down.
- Write the translation clearly using the horizontal and vertical movement.
- Right is positive, left is negative.
- Up is positive, down is negative.
Example of the method
If a point moves 4 units right and 3 units down, the translation is described as 4 right and 3 down, or in coordinate notation as a shift of (4, -3).
Check your answer
- Make sure every point moved by the same amount.
- The translated figure should look exactly like the original, just in a new position.
- If you used one point correctly, the other points should match the same movement.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not describe the new position only; describe the movement from the original figure to the translated one.