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Introduction to translation

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can understand the nature of a translation and appreciate what changes and what is invariant.

Key learning points

  1. The length of the lines do not change when translated.
  2. The angles inside an object do not change when translated.
  3. When an object is translated, its image is congruent.
  4. The object and its image have the same orientation.

Keywords

  • Translation - Translation is a transformation in which every point of a shape moves the same distance in the same direction.

Common misconception

Students may confuse the term transformation for translation.

Translation is one type of transformation.

Teacher tip

Copies of physical shapes could be helpful to help students see that the orientation doesn't change, nor does the shape become mirrored in a translation.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
A transformation is a process that may change the , orientation or position of a shape.

Correct Answer: size

Q2.
This L shape is twisted, which of these could be the image?

An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q3.
When a vertex is labelled $$B\prime$$, it means the of vertex B.

Correct Answer: image

Q4.
Congruent shapes need to have the same orientation, true or false?

True: otherwise they will not be able to stack up on top of each other.
Correct answer: False: if the orientation is different they can be manipulated to stack.

Q5.
Regardless of whether an object is flipped, twisted or moved, the lengths and angles are ?

Correct Answer: invariant

Q6.
Which figure does this description match? The object has moved up without twisting or flipping.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Translation is a in which every point of a shape moves the same distance in the same direction.

Correct Answer: transformation

Q2.
Which of these images show a translation?

Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q3.
Match the shapes to their translated image.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,E

E

Correct Answer:B,C

C

Correct Answer:D,F

F

Correct Answer:G,H

H

Q4.
The only property of a shape that does change in a translation is .

Correct Answer: position

Q5.
Which point, when connected with the given two vertices, would create a congruent shape to the object? [IMG 7.10.2.e5]

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: A, a

Q6.
Which of the figures matches Jacob’s description?

An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Introduction to translation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...