Igcse Maths Cie: 3.14 Transformations

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IGCSE Maths CIE Your notes
3.14 Transformations
Contents
3.14.1 Translations
3.14.2 Reflections
3.14.3 Rotations
3.14.4 Enlargements
Page 1 of 38
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3.14.1 Translations
Your notes
Translations
What are transformations in maths?
There are 4 transformations in GCSE Maths – rotation, reflection, translation and enlargement
All 4 change a shape in some way, useful in things like computer graphics.
There is some language and notation often used in this topic – the original shape is called the
object and the transformed shape is called the image
Vertices are labelled to show corresponding points
Vertices on the object are labelled A, B, C, etc.
Vertices on the image are labelled A’, B’, C’ etc.
If there is a second transformation then they will become A”, B”, C” etc.
What is a translation?
A translation is the movement of a shape
The size, shape and orientation (which way up it is) of the shape stays the same
How do I translate a shape?

The movement of a translation is described by a vector
You need to know how to write a translation using a vector (rather than words)
⎛⎜ x ⎞⎟
Vectors are written as column vectors in the form ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ where:
⎝y ⎠
x is the distance moved horizontally
Negative means move to the left
Positive means move to the right
y is the distance moved vertically
Negative means move down
Positive means move up
STEP 1:
Select a vertex on the original object, move it according to the information given in the column
vector
STEP 2:
Repeat STEP 1 for each of the vertices on the original object
STEP 3:
Connect the translated vertices and label the translated image
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In some cases, where the vectors are small enough, the image can overlap the object
The vector is how the shape moves not the siz e of the gap between the object and the image, Your notes
watch out for this common error!
How do I describe a translation?

It is important to fully describe a transformation in order to get full marks
For a translation, you must:
State that the transformation is a translation
Give the column vector that describes the movement
Exam Tip
Translate one vertex of the shape at a time, put your pencil on the starting position and move
across and/up/down the stated number of places and mark the new position of that vertex
Be careful not to muddle up which points you are translating, it can be surprisingly easy to
count the wrong distance, especially if the original object and the translated image overlap
each other!
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Worked example
Your notes
⎛⎜ −4 ⎞⎟
(a) On the grid below translate shape P using the vector ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ .
⎝ 5 ⎠
Label your translate shape P'.
The vector means "4 to the left" and "5 up".

You don't have to draw in any arrows but it is a good idea to mark your paper after counting across
and up a couple of times to check that you are in the correct place.
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Your notes
Translating one vertex and then following around the shape one vertex at a time makes it easier to
get the shape in exactly the right position!
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Your notes
(b) Describe fully the single transformation that creates shape B from shape A.
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Your notes
This is a case where the image overlaps the object.

You should still see that the shape is the same siz e and the same way up so it is a translation.
Start at a vertex on the original object that is well away from any overlap area to avoid confusion
and count the number of position left/right and up/down that you need to move to reach the
corresponding vertex on the translated image.
Take care when counting around the axes!
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Your notes
Shape A has been translated using the vector
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3.14.2 Reflections
Your notes
Reflections
What is a reflection?
A reflection is a mirror image of an object across a line of reflection/mirror line
The reflected image is the same shape and size as the original object but it has been "flipped"
across the mirror line to a new position and orientation
Points on the mirror line do not move, they stay where they are!
How do I reflect a shape?

You need to be able to perform a reflection (on a coordinate grid)
The perpendicular distance between a point on the original object and the mirror line, should
be the same as the perpendicular distance between the corresponding point on the reflected
image and the mirror line
STEP 1:
From a point on the original object measure the perpendicular distance to the mirror line
STEP 2:
Continuing from that point on the mirror line, and in the same direction, measure the same
distance again
STEP 3:
Mark the corresponding point on the reflected image at the position you have reached
STEP 4:
Join together the reflected points and label the reflected image
1. Vertical lines (of the form x = k , for some number k )
The perpendicular distance can be found by counting the number of squares horizontally
from a point on the original object until you reach the mirror line
2. Horizontal lines (of the form y = k , for some number k )
The perpendicular distance can be found by counting the number of squares vertically from
a point on the original object until you reach the mirror line
3. Diagonal lines (of the form y = mx + c , see straight line graphs)
Reflecting in diagonal lines can be much tricker

The perpendicular distance can be measured directly using a ruler
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You can also count the number of squares horiz ontally and vertically until you reach the mirror
line, e.g. 2 to the right, 3 down, then from the same point on the mirror line, count the number
of squares vertically that was the previous horiz ontal distance and count the number of Your notes
squares horiz ontally that was the previous vertical distance, e.g. 3 to the right, 2 down
4. Double Reflections
Double reflections are where the mirror line passes through the shape being reflected
Part of the shape gets reflected on one side of the mirror line, the other part gets reflected
on the other side
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5. Regular polygons
Squares and other regular polygons can look identical even after a reflection (and other Your notes
transformations too) – there is no obvious sign the shape has been reflected – you may think
a shape has been translated
The way to identify these is to look at one vertex (point) on the shape and its corresponding
position
If it is a reflection it will be “back-to-front” on the other side
How do I describe a reflection?

You will need to be able to identify and describe a reflection when presented with one
You must fully describe a transformation to get full marks
For a reflection, you must:
State that the transformation is a reflection
Give the mathematical equation of the mirror line
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Exam Tip
Your notes
It is very easy to muddle up the equations for horizontal and vertical lines, remember:
Horiz ontal lines:
Vertical lines:
When drawing in horiz ontal of vertical mirror lines that are close to the axes, look carefully,
make sure that you put them in the correct position!
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Worked example
Your notes
(a) On the grid below, reflect shape S in the line y = x + 3 .
State the coordinates of all of the vertices of your reflected shape.
Draw in the mirror line, it has a gradient of 1 and intercepts the y-axis at (0, 3).
It is a diagonal line so you need to be careful and reflect one vertex at a time before drawing in the
final reflected object.
Because it has a gradient of 1, you can count the "diagonals" from each vertex to the mirror line, as
this is the perpendicular distance.
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Count the same number of "diagonals" on the other side of the mirror line to find the position of
the corresponding vertex on the reflected image.
Your notes
List the vertices of the reflected image.

Work your way around the shape vertex by vertex so that you don't miss any out as there are quite
a few!
Vertices of the reflected shape: (0, 0), (3, 0), (3, -1), (1, -1), (1, -2), (3, -2), (3, -3), (0, -3), (-2,
-2), (-2, -1), (0, -1)
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Your notes
You should be able to "see" where the mirror line should be without too much difficulty.
Draw the mirror line on the diagram.
You can check that it is in the correct position by measuring/counting the perpendicular distance
from a pair of corresponding points on the original object and the reflected image to the same
point on the mirror line.
Be careful with mirror lines near axes as it is easy to miscount.
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Your notes
Write down that the transformation was a reflection and the equation of the mirror line.
Shape A has been reflected in the line to create shape B
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3.14.3 Rotations
Your notes
Rotations
What is a rotation?
A rotation is the movement of an object around a point
The rotated image is the same size and shape as the original image, but it will have a new position
and orientation
How do I rotate a shape?
You need to be able to perform a rotation (on a coordinate grid)
The easiest way to draw a rotation is to use tracing paper, this should be available to you in an
exam but you may have to ask an invigilator for it
STEP 1:
Place the tracing paper over page and draw over the original object
STEP 2:
Place the point of your pencil on the centre of rotation
STEP 3:
Rotate the tracing paper the angle that has been asked for in the question, it will usually be an
"easy" angle such as 90o, 180o or 270o
STEP 4:
Your tracing paper is in the position showing you where to draw the rotated image, carefully draw
the image onto the coordinate grid
How do I describe a rotation?
You will need to be able to identify and describe a rotation when presented with one
For a rotation you must:
State that the transformation is a rotation
State the centre of rotation (the point about which the object is rotated)
State the angle of rotation (how many degrees around the point that the object has been
rotated)
State the direction of rotation (clockwise or anticlockwise, unless the angle is 180o, then a
direction is not required)
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Your notes
Exam Tip
Draw an arrow facing “up” on your tracing paper, as you rotate it, it’ll be really easy to see when
you’ve turned 90° (arrow will be facing left or right), 180° (arrow facing down) etc.
Make sure that you double check that you have copied the rotated image into the correct
position by putting the tracing paper over the original object and rotating it again to see that
it lines up with your image
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Worked example
Your notes
(a) On the grid below rotate shape A by 90o anti-clockwise about the point (0, 2).
Label your answer A'.
Using tracing paper, draw over the original object and mark one vertex.
Mark on the centre of rotation.
Draw an arrow pointing vertically upwards on the paper.
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Your notes
With your pencil fixed on the point of rotation, rotate the tracing paper 90o anti-clockwise, the
arrow that you drew should now be pointing left.
Make a mental note of the new coordinates of the vertex that you marked on your tracing paper.
Draw the new position of this vertex onto the grid.
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Your notes
Repeat this process for the other two vertices on the triangle.
Connect the vertices together to draw the rotated image.
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Your notes
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Your notes
You should be able to see that the object has been rotated 90o clockwise (or 270o anti-
clockwise).
You are likely to be able to see roughly where the centre of rotation is but it may take a little time
to find its position exactly.
Page 23 of 38
Your notes
To find the exact coordinates of the centre of rotation you can play around with tracing paper.
Draw over shape A on tracing paper, then try out different locations for the centre of rotation by
placing your pencil on a point, rotating the paper 90o clockwise and seeing if it lines up with shape
B.
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Your notes
Write down the all of the elements required to fully describe the transformation: the type of
transformation, the centre of rotation, the angle and the direction.
Rotation, 90 o clockwise with centre (-4, 0)
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3.14.4 Enlargements
Your notes
Enlargements
What is an enlargement?
An enlargement is a transformation that changes the size of the shape
The scale factor tells you how many times bigger each edge of the enlarged image will be
compared to the corresponding edge on the original object
If the scale factor is greater than 1, the enlarged image will be bigger than the original object
If the scale factor is less than 1, the enlarged image will be smaller than the original object
The position of a shape will also change with enlargement
The orientation of the shape will be the same for a positive enlargement
How do I enlarge a shape?
You need to be able to perform an enlargement (on a coordinate grid)
STEP 1:
Starting from the centre of enlargement, count the horiz ontal and vertical distances to
one vertex on the original object
STEP 2:
Multiply the distances by the given scale factor
STEP 3:
Starting again from the centre of enlargement, measure the new distances and mark the position
on the grid of the corresponding vertex on the enlarged image
The distances from the centre of enlargement to the enlarged image will be in the same
direction for a positive scale factor and the opposite direction for a negative scale factor
STEP 4:
Repeat STEPs 1 to 3 for the remaining vertices
STEP 5:
Connect the vertices on the enlarged image and label it
How do I describe an enlargement?
You need to be able to identify and describe an enlargement when presented with one
For an enlargement, you must:
State that the transformation is an enlargement
State the scale factor
Give the coordinates of the centre of enlargement
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Exam Tip
Your notes
Make sure that you always start from the centre of enlargement when measuring distances
to the original object and the enlarged image, a common mistake is to measure the distance
between a pair of corresponding vertices on the original object and enlarged image
You can check your work by drawing straight lines through the centre of enlargement and a
pair of corresponding vertices on the original object and the enlarged image
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Worked example
Your notes
(a) On the grid below enlarge shape C using scale factor 2 and centre of enlargement (2, 1).
Label your translated shape C'.
Without working out any areas explain why the area of C' is four times as large as the area of
C.
Start by marking on the centre of enlargement (CoE).

Count the number of squares in both a horiz ontal and vertical direction to go from the CoE to
one of the vertices on the original object, this is 2 to the right and 3 up in this example.
As the scale factor is 2, multiply these distances by 2, so they become 4 to the right and 6 up.
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Count these new distances from the CoE to the corresponding point on the enlarged image and
mark it on.
Draw a line through the CoE and the pair of corresponding points, they should line up in a straight Your notes
line.
Repeat this process for each of the vertices on the original object.
Join adjacent vertices on the enlarged image as you go.
Label the enlarged image C'.
Page 29 of 38
Your notes
Because the scale factor is 2, each of the lengths will be twice as long on the enlarged image as
they are on the original object.
Square the length scale factor to find the area scale factor.
The length scale factor is 2, therefore the area scale factor will be 2 2 = 4, hence, the area of C'
is 4 times larger than C
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Your notes
You can see that the image is larger than the original object, therefore it must be an enlargement.
As the enlarged image is bigger than the original object, the scale factor must be greater than 1.
Compare two corresponding edges on the object and the image to find the scale factor.
The height of the original "H" is 3 squares, the height of the enlarged "H" is 9 squares.
Draw a straight line through the CoE and a pair of corresponding points on the original object and
the enlarged image.
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Repeat this step for all of the pairs of vertices on the object and image.
The point of intersection of the lines is the CoE.
Your notes
Shape A has been enlarged using a scale factor of 3 and a centre of enlargement (9, 9) to
create shape B
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Negative Enlargements
How do I enlarge a shape if it has a negative scale factor? Your notes
You will still need to perform enlargements with negative scale factors
it is possible but unusual to be asked to identify one
Follow the same process as you would for a positive scale factor enlargement, the key things to
look out for with a negative enlargement are:
the orientation of the object is changed as a negative enlargement rotates an object by
180 o
when measuring the distance between the centre of enlargement (CoE) and the enlarged
image, it is measured on the opposite side of the CoE
Exam Tip
Remember to draw lines through the CoE and a vertex on the original object, this will remind
you that the distances away from the CoE carry on in the opposite direction for a negative
scale factor
Exam questions are quite keen on combining both negative and fractional scale factors,
build your answer up following the rules and you will be fine!
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Worked example
Your notes
1
On the grid below enlarge shape F using scale factor − and centre of enlargement (6, − 1) .
3
Label this shape F'.
If the area of F is 45 cm2 write down the area of F'.
Start by marking the centre of enlargement (CoE) (6, -1) and selecting a starting vertex.
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Count the horiz ontal and vertical distances from the vertex to the CoE.
Multiply those distances by the scale factor.
Your notes
Vertex at (-4, 3)
Distance to CoE from vertex on original object: 3 to the right and 3 up
Distances from CoE to corresponding vertex on enlarged image: to the right and
up
Counting the new distances from the CoE, on the other side from the original object, mark on the
position of the corresponding point on the enlarged image.
Draw a straight line through the corresponding vertices and the CoE to check that they line up
Repeat this process for each vertex in turn.
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Your notes
Connect the vertices as you go around so that you don't forget which should connect to which.
Remember, your enlarged image will be rotated by 180o.
Page 36 of 38
Your notes
The length scale factor is , meaning that each edge of the enlarged image is the length of
the corresponding edge on the original object.
Find the area scale factor by squaring the length scale factor.
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Multiply the area of the original object by the area scale factor to find the area of the enlarged
image.
Your notes
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IGCSE Maths CIE Your notes

How do I translate a shape?

How do I describe a translation?

The vector means "4 to the left" and "5 up".

This is a case where the image overlaps the object.

Shape A has been translated using the vector

How do I reflect a shape?

Reflecting in diagonal lines can be much tricker

How do I describe a reflection?

List the vertices of the reflected image.

Shape A has been reflected in the line to create shape B

Start by marking on the centre of enlargement (CoE).

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