A transformation moves or changes a figure on the plane. Translations slide, reflections flip, rotations turn, and dilations resize; the first three preserve size and shape, while dilation does not.
Math Dictionary / Transformation
Transformation
A transformation moves or changes a figure on the coordinate plane.
GeometryGrade 7Grade 8Algebra 1SATACT
What it means
Common transformations include translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations.
Also called: move on a plane
Examples
| A translation slides a shape |
| A reflection flips a shape |
| A rotation turns a shape |
Common mistake
A dilation changes size; translations, reflections, and rotations keep size the same.
Try one
Question: Which transformation flips a figure over a line?
Show answer
A reflection.