Describing a Translation
(KS3, Year 7)
A translation moves a shape. Every point of the shape is moved in the same direction by the same distance. To describe a translation, we need to say in which direction and by what distance each point is moved.

Using a Column Vector to Describe a Translation

A column vector is used to describe a translation. A column vector breaks down the translation into:
  • How far a shape moves in the horizontal direction (left or right).
  • How far a shape moves in the vertical direction (up or down).
An example of a column vector is shown below:translate_a_shape_column_vector
  • The top number (4) describes how the shape has moved in the horizontal direction. A positive number describes a move to the right. A negative number describes a move to the left.
  • The bottom number (2) describes how the shape has moved in the vertical direction. A positive number describes a move up. A negative number describes a move down.

How to Describe a Translation

Question

Describe the translation of the shape shown below. The light blue shape is the original shape (called the object). The dark blue shape is the shape after it has been translated (called the image).describe_translation_example

Step-by-Step:

Let us start by choosing a point on the object and see where it has been translated. We will choose point A on the object. We see it has been translated to point A'.

1

Find how many units the point has moved in the horizontal direction. In our example, point A has moved 2 units to the right. describe_translation_step_1

2

Write this as the top number in a column vector.describe_translation_step_2
  • The point has moved 2 units, so the number will be 2.
  • The point has moved right, so the number will be positive.

3

Find how many units the point has moved in the vertical direction. In our example, point A has moved 2 units down. describe_translation_step_3

4

Write this as the bottom number in a column vector.describe_translation_step_4
  • The point has moved 2 units, so the number will be 2.
  • The point has moved down, so the number will be negative.

Answer:

The translation can be described by the column vector below:describe_translation_answer

Lesson Slides

The slider below shows another real example of how to describe a translation.

What Is a Translation?

A translation is a slide of a shape: without rotating, reflecting or resizing it. A translation is a type of transformation.

Horizontal Translations

A horizontal translation only moves a shape left or right (but not at all up or down). Because of this, the bottom number in a column vector will be 0.horizontal_translation_mini

Vertical Translations

A vertical translation only moves a shape up or down (but not at all left or right). Because of this, the top number in a column vector will be 0.vertical_translation_mini

Top Tip

Stick to the Point!

When a shape is translated, each point in the shape moves the same direction and distance. When describing a translation, see how a single point has been moved. Choose a point on the shape, and see how it has moved after it has been translated. stick_to_the_point
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This page was written by Stephen Clarke.