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09b Bahan Bacaan Plane Symetries and Transformations
09b Bahan Bacaan Plane Symetries and Transformations
2.1 Synopsis
This topic is an extention of the Topic 1, Plane Tessellation. In producing tessellation, we should
know how the tessellations were formed. Starting by a given motif, the entire pattern can be made
up by using transformations which retain the shape and size of the original motif but move to the
new positions in the plane. In this topic, only two sub-topics will be discussed, i.e. isometry of
the plane (rotation, reflection, translation and glide reflection) and finite symmetries groups and
seven frieze patterns. Plane symmetries will be dicussed during lecture session.
Plane Symmetries
and
Transformations
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MTE3103 Geometry
Isometry is a transformation which retain the shape and size of the original motif. Isometries
came from the Greek words isos (equal) and metron (measure). There are only four isometries
of the plane, i.e. translations, reflections, rotations and glide reflections.
2.4.1 Translation
(i) image
Object
(ii)
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MTE3103 Geometry
(iii)
2.4.2 Reflection
Reflection is a transformation which is basically a 'flip' of a shape over the line of reflection.
The object and the image have the same size and shape, but in the image face in opposite
direction. Reflection has infinitely many invariant point (points which remain unchanged
under the application of the isometry). Besides, the distance from a point to the line of
reflection is the same as the distance from the point's image to the line of reflection. In
other word, the line of reflection is place in the middle of the object and image.
(i)
Object Image
Line of reflection
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MTE3103 Geometry
Why the word ‘AMBULANCE’ is put in such a way as shown in figure 2.4 (5) ?
2.4.3 Rotation
A rotation is a transformation that turns a figure about a fixed point called the center of
rotation. An object and its rotation are the same shape and size, but the figures may be
turned in different directions.
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MTE3103 Geometry
(i)
(ii)
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a. b.
MTE3103 Geometry
In this section we will take a brief look at some infinite symmetry groups which can be used to
classify the symmetries of ‘frieze’ or ‘strip’ patterns. What are the frieze patterns? Frieze patterns
are classified under infinite discrete symmetry groups. A frieze is a horizontal band of sculptures
or decoration appearing on buildings and walls, often near the ceiling, laces and borders.
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MTE3103 Geometry
Because the patterns are along a strip only, the translations which can be included are
those which shift points ‘along’ the strip. The only rotation which allowed is ‘half turns’ –
i.e. rotation through 1800 .
Reflection line
(ii) The reflection line (mirror line) horizontal along the midline of the strip.
Reflection line
Translation and glide reflection can be used by themselves to generate infinite patterns
since the square of both a half turn (rotation through 1800) and a reflection is the identity.
(i) Translation
(ii) Glide reflection (combination of 2 types of transformation: reflection followed by
translation in the same direction)
(iii) Rotation through 1800 only and
(iv) Reflection (mirror line perpendicular to the strip or horizontal along the midline of
the strip)
There are only seven frieze patterns. It is shown in the following Table 2.6(1):
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MTE3103 Geometry
2. C∞ Glide reflection
4. D∞ 2 reflections (mirror
perpendicular and
horizontal)
5. D∞ 1 reflection and 1 half
turn(1800)
6. C∞ x D1 1 translation dan 1
reflection (mirror
horizontal along the
midline of the strip)
7. D∞ x D1 3 reflections
Table 2.6(1)
Note : C = Cyclic
D = Dihedral (Combination of rotation and reflection)
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MTE3103 Geometry
Yes No
Yes No Yes
Yes No Yes No
5 3 6 2
Yes No
4 1
Diagram adapted from Hayley Rintel, Melissa Shearer, and the 1999
Exploring Symmetry Class
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MTE3103 Geometry
Collect materials that are related to frieze pattern. Examples of materials that can be
collected are laces, embroidered cloth, and pictures of bracelets, necklaces or bangles,
pattern on prayer mat, ironworks, frame, cornices, borders and others that shows
pattern along the strip.
1. Observe the patterns and try to classify the types of transformation that
formed the pattern. Record it in your scrap book.
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