Describe the Change

By now, you've learned that transformations are about making changes. In fact, the definition of transform is "to change something." In rigid transformations such as translations, reflections, and rotations, figures are changed but preserve their original size and shape.

In a translation, a figure slides from one location to another; the change is to the location of the object. So each time you think of a translation, think of the motion of a slide.

In a reflection, a figure flips to become a mirror image of itself; the change is to the position of the image. Each time you think of a reflection, think of the motion of a flip.

In a rotation, a figure turns in a circular motion; the change is to the position of the image. Each time you think of a rotation, think of the motion of a turn.

In contrast to rigid transformations, a dilation changes the size of the figure. For instance, when a figure is enlarged or reduced, the change is to the size of the figure. When you think of a dilation, think of the size of the change.

Below are pictures that describe how an object has been transformed. Pick the word that best represents how the object in the picture has changed.