Mathematical Transformations: A Guide
1. Transformations Overview
Transformations change the position or size of a shape while maintaining its proportions. There
are four main types:
Translation (Sliding)
Reflection (Flipping)
Rotation (Turning)
Enlargement (Resizing)
2. Translation
A shape moves from one place to another without rotating or flipping.
Described using vectors, e.g., , where:
o a represents movement left (-) or right (+)
o b represents movement down (-) or up (+)
Example: Moving a point (3,2) by gives a new point at (7,-1).
Key Notes:
Every point of the shape moves the same distance in the same direction.
The shape remains congruent to the original.
Parallel lines remain parallel after translation.
3. Reflection
A mirror image of the shape is created over a given line (mirror line).
Common reflection lines:
o x-axis: (x, y) → (x, -y)
o y-axis: (x, y) → (-x, y)
o y = x: (x, y) → (y, x)
o y = -x: (x, y) → (-y, -x)
Example: Reflecting (2,3) in the y-axis gives (-2,3).
Key Notes:
The reflected shape is congruent to the original.
The perpendicular distance from any point to the mirror line is the same before and after
reflection.
Reflection preserves angle measures but reverses orientation.
4. Rotation
A shape is turned about a fixed point (usually the origin).
Rotations are described by:
o Angle: 90°, 180°, 270°
o Direction: Clockwise (CW) or Counterclockwise (CCW)
o Centre of rotation: Often (0,0)
Rotation Rules Around the Origin:
90° CCW: (x, y) → (-y, x)
180°: (x, y) → (-x, -y)
270° CCW (or 90° CW): (x, y) → (y, -x)
Example: Rotating (3,4) 90° CCW about the origin gives (-4,3).
Key Notes:
The shape remains congruent to the original.
All points rotate the same angle around the center of rotation.
The orientation changes except for 180° rotations.
5. Enlargement
A shape is resized by a scale factor relative to a centre of enlargement.
If the scale factor is:
o Greater than 1, the shape gets larger.
o Between 0 and 1, the shape gets smaller.
o Negative, the shape flips and changes size.
Example: Enlarging (2,3) by scale factor 2 from (0,0) gives (4,6).
Key Notes:
Enlargement maintains shape proportions.
The distances between points increase or decrease by the scale factor.
The shape does not remain congruent but remains similar to the original.
If the scale factor is negative, the image is rotated 180° as well as resized.
Summary Table:
Transformation Effect
Translation Moves without rotating/flipping
Reflection Flips over a mirror line
Rotation Turns around a fixed point
Enlargement Resizes by a scale factor
Practice Questions:
1. Translate (5, -2) by .
2. Reflect (4,-5) in the x-axis.
3. Rotate (-2,3) 90° CCW around the origin.
4. Enlarge (1,2) by scale factor 3 about the origin.
5. Reflect (-3,5) in the line y = x.
6. Rotate (2,-4) 180° about the origin.
7. Translate (-2,7) by .
8. Enlarge (3,-2) by scale factor -2 from the origin.
Circle Theorems: A Guide
1. Understanding Circle Theorems
Circle theorems help us understand relationships between angles, chords, and tangents in a circle.
Here are the key theorems:
2. Theorems and Explanations
1. The Angle at the Centre Theorem
The angle at the centre of a circle is twice the angle at the circumference when subtended
by the same arc.
Example: If an angle at the centre is 80°, the angle at the circumference is 40°.
2. The Angle in a Semicircle Theorem
An angle formed in a semicircle is always 90° (a right angle).
Example: Any triangle drawn inside a semicircle will have a right angle.
3. Angles in the Same Segment Theorem
Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal.
Example: If two angles are subtended by the same arc, they are identical.
4. The Opposite Angles in a Cyclic Quadrilateral Theorem
The opposite angles in a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle sum to 180°.
Example: If one angle is 70°, the opposite angle must be 110°.
5. The Tangent-Radius Theorem
A tangent to a circle is always perpendicular (90°) to the radius at the point of contact.
Example: If a tangent meets a radius at point A, the angle between them is 90°.
6. The Two Tangents Theorem
Two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle are equal in length.
Example: If two tangents meet a circle at points A and B from an external point P, then
PA = PB.
7. The Alternate Segment Theorem
The angle between a tangent and a chord drawn at the point of contact is equal to the
angle in the opposite segment.
Example: If the angle inside the triangle is 50°, the angle outside the triangle between the
tangent and chord is also 50°.
3. Summary Table
Theorem Key Rule
Angle at Centre Centre angle = 2 × circumference angle
Angle in Semicircle Always 90°
Angles in Same Segment Always equal
Cyclic Quadrilateral Opposite angles sum to 180°
Tangent-Radius Always 90°
Two Tangents Equal in length
Alternate Segment Chord-tangent angle = opposite segment angle
4. Practice Questions
1. In a circle, the angle at the centre is 120°. What is the angle at the circumference?
2. A triangle is drawn inside a semicircle. What type of triangle is it?
3. Two angles in the same segment are 45° and x°. Find x.
4. A cyclic quadrilateral has angles of 80° and y°. Find y.
5. A tangent meets a radius at point A. What is the angle between them?
6. Two tangents meet a circle at points A and B from an external point P. If PA = 7 cm,
what is PB?
7. A chord forms a 60° angle with a tangent. What is the angle in the opposite segment?
