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      Checking and securing understanding of translations

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe a translation using column notation and carry out the translation of a point.

      Key learning points

      1. It can be helpful to choose a vertex and translate that.
      2. Once all the vertices have been translated, the image can be drawn.
      3. The image and the object should be congruent.
      4. To translate, you need to know the distance left/right and up/down to move.

      Keywords

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

      • Congruent - If one shape can fit exactly on top of another using rotation, reflection or translation, then the shapes are congruent.

      • Vector - A vector can be used to describe a translation.

      • Vertex - A vertex is the point where two or more line segments meet. The plural is vertices.

      • Displacement - Displacement is the distance from the starting point when measured in a straight line.

      Common misconception

      Pupils may write or read the column vector incorrectly by thinking the top element is for the vertical movement and the bottom element is for the horizontal movement.

      Remind pupils that coordinates are horizontal before vertical and that is the same on a column vector.

      Teacher tip

      Play the pin the tail on the elephant game on the whiteboard. Pupils can be blindfolded and attempt to pin the tail on the elephant and then describe using a vector how to move the tail onto the correct place.

      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 size, orientation or of a shape.

      Correct Answer: position, location

      Q2.
      Which of the following is not a transformation?

      enlargement
      reflection
      Correct answer: refraction
      rotation
      translation

      Q3.
      Which is the correct mathematical term for a shape that can fit exactly on top of another using rotation, reflection or translation?

      exact
      identical
      perfect
      Correct answer: congruent
      similar

      Q4.
      Which of the following happens when a translation takes place?

      changes size
      turning
      flipping
      Correct answer: sliding
      changes size and position

      Q5.
      Which of the following is used to describe a translation?

      angle
      direction
      scale factor
      Correct answer: vector
      line

      Q6.
      A point where two or more line segments meet is called a .

      Correct Answer: vertex

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Displacement is the distance from the starting point when measured in a line.

      Correct Answer: straight

      Q2.
      Match each vector to the displacement it describes.

      Correct Answer:$$4\choose-3$$,4 right, 3 down

      4 right, 3 down

      Correct Answer:$$4\choose3$$,4 right, 3 up

      4 right, 3 up

      Correct Answer:$$-4\choose-3$$,4 left, 3 down

      4 left, 3 down

      Correct Answer:$$-4\choose3$$,4 left, 3 up

      4 left, 3 up

      Q3.
      Which is the correct vector to translate the tail to the correct place on the elephant?

      An image in a quiz
      $$2\choose4$$
      Correct answer: $$2\choose-4$$
      $$-2\choose4$$
      $$-2\choose-4$$

      Q4.
      Which is the correct vector to translate A to A'?

      An image in a quiz
      $$5\choose-2$$
      $$-2\choose-5$$
      Correct answer: $$5\choose2$$
      $$-5\choose-2$$
      $$-5\choose2$$

      Q5.
      Which is the correct vector to translate A to A'?

      An image in a quiz
      $$-2\choose3$$
      $$3\choose-2$$
      Correct answer: $$-3\choose2$$
      $$-2\choose-3$$
      $$-3\choose-2$$

      Q6.
      Translate shape ABC by $$-4\choose1$$.

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

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