Examination Tips
Coordinate system and transformations
Translation, Reflection & rotation
Upwards/downwards by k units
P( x , y) P1 ( x , y k )
To the right/to the left by m units
P(x , y ) P1 ( x m , y )
Reflection with respect to the x -axis
P( x , y) P1 ( x , y)
Reflection with respect to the y -axis
P( x , y) P1 ( x , y)
In the clockwise direction by 90
P( x , y) P1 ( y , x)
In the anti-clockwise direction by 90
P( x , y) P1 ( y , x)
Example:
2006/HKCEE/I/7
In figure 3, the coordinates of the points A and B are (2, 7) and
(5,5) respectively. A is rotated closewise about the origin O
through 90 to A . B is the reflection image of B with respect to
the y axis .
(a) Write down the coordinates of A and B .
(b) Are the lengths of AB and AB equal? Explain your answer.
(4 marks)
Solution:
(a) A is rotated closewise about the origin O through 90 to A . P( x , y) P1 ( y , x)
A (7 , (2)) i.e. 7 , 2
B is the reflection image of B with respect to the y-axis . P( x , y) P1 ( x , y)
B ((5) ,5) i.e. (5,5)
(b) AB [(2) (5)]2 (7 5) 2 13
AB (7 5) 2 (2 5) 2 13
AB AB .
Drilling exercises:
[2017HKDSE]
The coordinates of the points A and B are (3 , 4) and (9 , 9) respectively. A is rotated
anticlockwise about the origin through 90 to A . B is the reflection image of B with respect to the
x-axis.
(a) Write down the coordinates of A and B .
(b) Prove that AB is perpendicular to AB .
(4 marks)
[2014 HKDSE]
The coordinates of the points P and Q are (3 , 5) and (2 , 7) respectively. P is rotated
anticlockwise about the origin through 270 to P . Q is translated leftwards by 21 units to Q .
(a) Write down the coordinates of P and Q .
(b) Prove that PQ is perpendicular to PQ .
(5 marks)
[2011HKCEE]
The coordinates of the point A are (4 , 6) . A is rotated anticlockwise about the origin O through 90 to
B . M is the mid-point of AB .
(a) Find the coordinates of M .
(b) Is OM perpendicular to AB ? Explain your answer.
(5 marks)
[2009HKCEE]
In Figure 1, the coordinates of the points A and B are (1 , 2) and (5 , 2)
respectively. A is translated vertically upward by 6 units to A’ . B’ is the reflection
image of B with respect to the y-axis.
(a) Write down the coordinates of A’ and B’ .
(b) Is AB parallel to A’B’ ? Explain your answer.
(5 marks)
Figure 1
2019/CP/II/25
The coordinates of the point A are (5, 2) . A is translated rightwards by 9 units to the point B . B is then
rotated anticlockwise about the origin through 90 to the point C . Find the y -coordinate of C .
A. 4 B. 2 C. 2 D. 4
