4.

3 Rotations
Learning Target: Understand rotations of figures.

Success Criteria: • I can rotate figures.

• I can perform compositions with rotations.
• I can identify rotational symmetry in polygons.

EXPLORE IT Rotating a Polygon

Work with a partner.
D′ E′
a. The diagram shows a rotation of
△DEF to △D′E′F′. How would D
you define a rotation?
E

F′
F
P

b. Use technology to draw

any triangle and label
it △ABC.

c. Rotate the triangle 90° counterclockwise about the origin to form △A′B′C′.
What do you observe about the side lengths, angle measures, and coordinates
of the vertices of the two triangles?

d. Write rules to determine the coordinates of the image of (x, y) when it is

rotated 90°, 180°, and 270° counterclockwise about the origin.

90° Rotation: 180° Rotation: 270° Rotation:

5 DECOMPOSE A (x, y) → ( , ) (x, y) → ( , ) (x, y) → ( , )
MTR
PROBLEM
You can think of a 180° e. Based on your results in parts (b)–(d), is there anything you would like to
rotation as two 90° change or include in your definition in part (a)? Explain.
rotations. How can this
help you in part (d)? f. Is a rotation a rigid motion? Explain your reasoning.

Geometric Reasoning
MA.912.GR.2.1 Given a preimage and image, describe the transformation and represent the transformation
algebraically using coordinates.
MA.912.GR.2.5 Given a geometric figure and a sequence of transformations, draw the transformed figure on
a coordinate plane.
GO DIGITAL Also MA.912.GR.2.2, MA.912.GR.2.3, H MA.912.GR.2.4

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 Performing Rotations

Vocabulary KEY IDEA

rotation, p. 184 Rotations
center of rotation, p. 184 A rotation is a transformation in which a figure is turned about a fixed point
angle of rotation, p. 184 called the center of rotation. Rays drawn from the center of rotation to a point
rotational symmetry, p. 188 and its image form the angle of rotation.
center of symmetry, p. 188 A rotation about a point P through an angle R′ R
order of rotational symmetry, of x° maps every point Q in the plane to
p. 188 a point Q′ so that one of the following
properties is true.
• If Q is not the center of rotation P, 40° Q
then QP = Q′P and m∠QPQ′ = x°, or Q′ angle of
rotation
• If Q is the center of rotation P, then
center of
Q = Q′. P
rotation

The figure above shows a 40° counterclockwise rotation. Rotations can be clockwise
or counterclockwise.
Direction of rotation
counterclockwise clockwise

EXAMPLE 1 Drawing a Rotation

Draw a 120° counterclockwise rotation of △ABC about point P. A

C B
P
SOLUTION
Step 1 Draw a segment from P to A. Step 2 Draw a ray to form a 120° angle
—.
with PA

A A
140 15
120 130 0
110 60 50 40 30 160
0 20 17
10 0 70
8 10 0
90 0
18 0

9
0
10 0

B
0
110 8

C B
20 150 140 130 120 70

C
40 50 60

P P
30
0
10 0 16
0 0 17
18

Step 3 Draw A′ so that PA′ = PA. Step 4 Repeat Steps 1–3 for each
remaining vertex. Draw △A′B′C′.

B′
A A

120° B C′ C
A′ C A′ B
P P

GO DIGITAL

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 You can rotate a figure more than 180°. y
The diagram shows counterclockwise
rotations of point A 130°, 220°, and 310° A
about the origin. Notice that point A and A′ 130°
its images all lie on the same circle. A
rotation of 360° maps a figure onto itself. x
STUDY TIP You can use coordinate rules to find the
220°
A‴
You can rotate a figure 310°
coordinates of a point after a rotation of
more than 360°. The 90°, 180°, or 270° about the origin. A″
effect, however, is the
same as rotating the
figure by the angle
KEY IDEA
minus a multiple of 360°. Coordinate Rules for Rotations about the Origin
When a point (a, b) is rotated counterclockwise y
about the origin, the following are true. (−b, a)
• For a rotation of 90°, (a, b)
(a, b) → (−b, a). 180° 90°
• For a rotation of 180°, x
(a, b) → (−a, −b).
• For a rotation of 270°, (−a, −b) 270°
(a, b) → (b, −a). (b, −a)

A counterclockwise rotation of n° is the same as a clockwise rotation of

(360 − n)°. Similarly, a clockwise rotation of n° is the same as a
counterclockwise rotation of (360 − n)°.

EXAMPLE 2 Rotating a Figure in the Coordinate Plane

Graph quadrilateral RSTU with vertices R(3, 1), S(5, 1), T(5, −3), and U(2, −1)
and its image after a 270° counterclockwise rotation about the origin.

SOLUTION
Use the coordinate rule for a 270° rotation to y
2
find the coordinates of the vertices of the image. R S
Then graph quadrilateral RSTU and its image.
(a, b) → (b, −a) −4 −2 6 x
U′ U
R(3, 1) → R′(1, −3) R′
S(5, 1) → S′(1, −5) T

T(5, −3) → T′(−3, −5) T′ S′

−6
U(2, −1) → U′(−1, −2)

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

1. Trace △DEF and point P. Then draw a 50° clockwise E

rotation of △DEF about point P.

2. Graph △JKL with vertices J(3, 0), K(4, 3), and L(6, 0) and D F
P
its image after a 90° clockwise rotation about the origin.
GO DIGITAL

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 Performing Compositions with Rotations
POSTULATE
4.3 Rotation Postulate
A rotation is a rigid motion.

Because a rotation is a rigid motion, and a rigid motion preserves length and angle
D
measure, the following statements are true for the rotation shown.
E • DE = D′E′ EF = E′F′ FD = F′D′
F′ D′
• m∠D = m∠D′ m∠E = m∠E′ m∠F = m∠F′

F E′ Because a rotation is a rigid motion, the Composition Theorem guarantees that

compositions of rotations and other rigid motions, such as translations and reflections,
are rigid motions.

EXAMPLE 3 Performing a Composition

— with endpoints R(−1, −3) and S(−2, −6) and its image after the
a. Graph RS
composition.
Reflection: in the y-axis
Rotation: 90° clockwise about the origin
COMMON ERROR
b. Write a coordinate rule for the composition.
Unless you are told
otherwise, perform the SOLUTION
transformations in
—.
a. Step 1 Graph RS
the order given.
— in the y-axis. R′S′
Step 2 Reflect RS — has endpoints R′(1, −3) and S′(2, −6).
— 90° clockwise or (360 − 90)° = 270° counterclockwise about
Step 3 Rotate R′S′
— has endpoints R″(−3, −1) and S″(−6, −2).
the origin. R″S″

y
−8 R″(−3, −1) 2 4 x

S″(−6, −2) R(−1, −3) R′(1, −3)

S(−2, −6) S′(2, −6)

−6

b. The first transformation is a reflection in the y-axis, so (a, b) → (−a, b). The
second transformation is a rotation 90° clockwise, or 270° counterclockwise, about
the origin, so (−a, b) → (b − (−a)) = (b, a).

So, a coordinate rule for the composition is (a, b) → (b, a).

— to check that the rule is correct.

Check Test the endpoints of RS
(a, b) → (b, a)
(−1, −3) → (−3, −1)
(−2, −6) → (−6, −2) ✓ GO DIGITAL

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 You can use a composition to rotate a figure when the center of rotation is a point
on the figure.

KEY IDEA
Rotating When the Center Is a Point on the Figure
To rotate a figure when the center of rotation is a point P on the figure, translate
⃑
the figure along PO, so the center is mapped to the origin O. Then use the
appropriate coordinate rule for a rotation about the origin. Finally, translate the
center of rotation back to P along OP . ⃑
EXAMPLE 4 Rotating When the Center is on the Figure
Graph △ABC with vertices A(1, 2), B(2, 4), and C(3, 3) and its image after a
180° rotation about point A.
SOLUTION
Step 1 Translate the figure along AO . ⃑
(a, b) → (a − 1, b − 2)
A(1, 2) → A′(1 − 1, 2 − 2) = A′(0, 0)
B(2, 4) → B′(2 − 1, 4 − 2) = B′(1, 2)
C(3, 3) → C′(3 − 1, 3 − 2) = C′(2, 1)
Step 2 Use the coordinate rule for a 180° rotation about the origin.
(a, b) → (−a, −b)
A′(0, 0) → A″(0, 0)
B′(1, 2) → B″(−1, −2)
y
C′(2, 1) → C″(−2, −1)
B
⃑
4
C Step 3 Translate back along OA .
(a, b) → (a + 1, b + 2)
A = A‴
C‴ A″(0, 0) → A′″(0 + 1, 0 + 2) = A′″(1, 2)
−2 B‴ 2 4 x B″(−1, −2) → B′″(−1 + 1, −2 + 2) = B′″(0, 0)
C″(−2, −1) → C′″(−2 + 1, −1 + 2) = C′″(−1, 1)

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

—
3. Graph RS from Example 3. Perform the rotation, followed by the reflection.
Does the order of the transformations matter? Explain.
— with endpoints A(−4, 4) and B(−1, 7) and its image after the composition.
4. Graph AB
Write a coordinate rule for the composition.
Translation: (x, y) → (x − 2, y − 1) Rotation: 90° counterclockwise about the origin
5. DIFFERENT WORDS, SAME QUESTION Which is different? Find “both” answers.

Rotate A(2, 3) 90° counterclockwise about the origin. Rotate A(2, 3) 270° clockwise about the origin.

Rotate A(2, 3) 180° about the origin and then Rotate A(2, 3) 180° about the origin and then
90° counterclockwise about the origin. 90° clockwise about the origin.

6. Graph △ABC with vertices A(−4, −3), B(0, −2), and C(2, −2) and its image after a 90° clockwise
rotation about point C.
GO DIGITAL

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 Identifying Rotational Symmetry
A figure in the plane has rotational symmetry when the figure can be
mapped onto itself by a rotation of 180° or less about the center of the figure.
This point is the center of symmetry. Note that the rotation can be either clockwise
or counterclockwise.
STUDY TIP For example, the figure below has rotational symmetry, because a rotation of either
This figure also has point 90° or 180° maps the figure onto itself (although a rotation of 45° does not).
symmetry, which is 180° 45°
rotational symmetry. 0° 90°
180°

For a figure with rotational symmetry, the order of rotational symmetry is the
number of times a figure can be mapped onto itself in one 360° rotation about the
center of the figure.

EXAMPLE 5 Identifying Rotational Symmetry

Determine whether each polygon has rotational symmetry. If so, identify the order
of rotational symmetry.
a. regular hexagon b. trapezoid

SOLUTION
a. The regular hexagon has rotational symmetry
because a 60° rotation about its center maps the
1 HELP A hexagon onto itself. The center is the intersection
MTR of the diagonals. There are 6 rotations that map
CLASSMATE the hexagon onto itself, so the order of rotational
Help a classmate symmetry is 6.
understand why there
are 6 rotations that
b. The trapezoid does not have rotational symmetry
map the hexagon onto
because no rotation of 180° or less maps the
itself.
trapezoid onto itself.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

Determine whether the polygon has rotational symmetry. If so, describe any
rotations that map the polygon onto itself and identify the order of rotational symmetry.
7. rhombus 8. octagon 9. right triangle

GO DIGITAL

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 4.3 Practice WITH AND

In Exercises 1–4, trace the polygon and point P. Then ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 13 and 14, the endpoints
draw the given rotation of the polygon about point P. — are C(−1, 1) and D(2, 3). Describe and correct
of CD
(See Example 1.) the error in finding the coordinates of the endpoints
of the image after a rotation of 270° counterclockwise
1. 30° counterclockwise 2. 90° clockwise about the origin.
B D P
13.

✗
E
C (−1, 1) → C ′ (−1, −1)
C D (2, 3) → D ′ (2, −3)
A
P F
G
14.
3. 180°
G
4. 130° counterclockwise
R
P
✗ C (−1, 1) → C ′ (1, −1)
D (2, 3) → D ′ (3, 2)

F
In Exercises 15–18, graph XY— with endpoints X(−3, 1)
P
and Y(4, −5) and its image after the composition. Write
J a coordinate rule for the composition. (See Example 3.)
Q
15. Translation: (x, y) → (x, y + 2)
In Exercises 5–8, graph the polygon with the given
Rotation: 90° counterclockwise about the origin
vertices and its image after the given rotation about the
origin. (See Example 2.) 16. Rotation: 180° about the origin
5. A(−3, 2), B(2, 4), C(3, 1); 90° counterclockwise Translation: (x, y) → (x − 1, y + 1)

6. D(−3, −1), E(−1, 2), F(4, −2); 180° 17. Rotation: 270° counterclockwise about the origin
Reflection: in the y-axis
7. J(1, 4), K(5, 5), L(7, 2), M(2, 2); 180°
18. Reflection: in the line y = x
8. Q(−6, −3), R(−5, 0), S(−3, 0), T(−1, −3); Rotation: 90° clockwise about the origin
270° clockwise
In Exercises 19–22, graph △LMN with vertices
In Exercises 9–12, describe the rotation as a L(1, 6), M(−2, 4), and N(3, 2) and its image after
(a) counterclockwise rotation and (b) clockwise rotation. the composition.
Then write a rule for the rotation. 19. Rotation: 90° clockwise about the origin
Translation: (x, y) → (x − 3, y + 2)
9. y 10. B y
5 3
B′ C 20. Reflection: in the x-axis
C′ C A
3 1 Rotation: 270° counterclockwise about the origin
A′ −3 −1 1 3x
1
C′ A′ 21. Translation: (x, y) → (x + 1, y + 4)
−1 1 A 3 Bx Rotation: 180° about the origin
−3
B′
22. Rotation: 90° counterclockwise about the origin
Reflection: in the y-axis
11. y 12. y
4 6
A′ B′
D′ 23. REASONING Use the coordinate rules for
B D C′ counterclockwise rotations about the origin to write
2

C′ D′
coordinate rules for clockwise rotations of 90°, 180°,
−6 B B′ C A′ x and 270° about the origin.
C 2 x
A A D
−2 −6
24. REASONING You transform an arrow using a rotation,
a translation, and a second rotation. What do you
know about the rotations when the image is pointing
GO DIGITAL the same direction as the original figure?

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 In Exercises 25–28, graph the polygon with the given 39. COLLEGE PREP What are y
vertices and its image after the given rotation about the vertices of the image of X
2
point A. (See Example 4.) quadrilateral WXYZ after a Y
rotation of 270° clockwise about
25. A(−6, 4), B(5, 2), C(2, 1 ); 90° clockwise 2 4x
the origin, followed by a
W −2
translation 4 units right? Z
26. A(−2, −3), B(−3, 2), C(3, −1); 180°
A W″(3, 2), X″(6, −1), Y″(5, −3), Z″(2, −4)
○
27. A(1, 4), B(6, 5), C(8, 2), D(3, 2); 90° counterclockwise
B W″(5, −2), X″(2, 1), Y″(3, 3), Z″(6, 4)
○
28. A(−2, −5), B(−7, 3), C(−4, 3), D(−1, −3);
270° counterclockwise C W″(−3, −2), X″(−6, 1), Y″(−5, 3), Z″(−2, 4)
○
In Exercises 29–34, determine whether the figure D W″(1, 2), X″(−2, 5), Y″(−1, 7), Z″(2, 8)
○
has rotational symmetry. If so identify the order of
rotational symmetry of the figure. (See Example 5.)
40. HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
29. 30.
You are finishing the puzzle. The remaining two
pieces have rotational symmetry.

31. 32. 1 2

a. Describe the rotational symmetry of Piece 1

and of Piece 2.
33. 34. b. Without considering the picture on Piece 1, how
many different ways can it fit into the puzzle?
c. Before putting Piece 1 into the puzzle, you
connect it to Piece 2. Now how many ways
can it fit into the puzzle? Explain.

COLLEGE PREP In Exercises 35–38, select all angles 41. CONSTRUCTION Follow these steps to construct a
of counterclockwise rotation about the center of the counterclockwise rotation of △ABC by angle D about
regular polygon that map the polygon onto itself. a point O. Use a compass and straightedge.

A 30°
○ C 60°
○ E 90°
○ G 144°
○ A′
B
B 45°
○ D 72°
○ F 120°
○ H 180°
○ A
D
C
35. 36.
O

Step 1 Draw △ABC, ∠D, and O (the center

of rotation).
37. 38. —. Use the construction for copying an
Step 2 Draw OA
angle to copy ∠D at O, as shown. Then draw
A′ so that OA′ = OA.
Step 3 Repeat Step 2 to find points B′
GO DIGITAL
and C′. Draw △A′B′C′.

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 42. REASONING You enter 46. ASSESS REASONABLENESS You take a picture of a
a revolving door. malachite butterfly during a class trip to the Florida
Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Rainforest.
a. You rotate the door
Your friend says that the butterfly’s wing markings
180°. What does this
have rotational symmetry because a 180° rotation of
mean in the context
the markings around the butterfly maps the markings
of the situation?
onto one another. Is your friend’s claim reasonable?
Explain.
Explain.
b. You rotate the door
360°. What does this
mean in the context
of the situation? Explain.

43. CONNECTING CONCEPTS Use the graph of

y = 2x − 3.
a. Rotate the line 90°, 180°, and y
270° counterclockwise about
the origin. Write the equation −2 2 x
of the line for each image. −2
Describe the relationship 47. DISCUSS MATHEMATICAL THINKING Graph △ABC
between the equation of the with the vertices A(−2, 1 ), B(3, 4), and C(−1, 3) and
preimage and the equation of its image after a 270° clockwise rotation around the
each image. given center.
b. Are the relationships you described in part (a) a. the origin
true for any line that is not vertical or horizontal?
Explain your reasoning. b. point A
c. point B
44. MODELING REAL LIFE Polar bearings use a polar d. point C
coordinate system. A polar coordinate system locates
a point in a plane by its distance from the origin O e. Write coordinate rules for parts (a) –(d). How do
and by the measure of an angle with its vertex at the the rules differ? Explain your reasoning.
origin. For example, the point A(2, 30°) is 2 units
from the origin and m∠XOA = 30°. What are the 48. PERFORMANCE TASK From the
polar coordinates of the image of point A after a Northern Hemisphere, constellations
90° clockwise rotation? a 180° rotation? a appear to rotate counterclockwise about
90° counterclockwise rotation? Explain. the North Celestial Pole, approximated by
Polaris. A 360° rotation is completed
90° about once every 24 hours.
120° 60°
a. Research circumpolar
150° 30° constellations and
A choose one that is
180° X 0° visible in the Northern
O 1 2 3
Hemisphere. Use the
Internet or another
210° 330° reference to sketch the
current orientation
240° 300°
270° of the constellation (when
you are facing north).
— are
45. NUMBER SENSE The endpoints of JK b. You are planning a stargazing event later this
J(−5, −4) and K(−3, −1). What are the coordinates evening. Choose a time for the event. Then
of the endpoints of the image after a rotation of 630° create a stargazing guide for your constellation
about the origin? 900° about the origin? that includes at least two facts about the
constellation and a drawing of its orientation
in the sky at that time. Use geometric tools to
GO DIGITAL
construct the drawing.

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 49. REASONING A figure has only point symmetry. How 52. THOUGHT PROVOKING
many rotations that map the figure onto itself can be Can rotations of 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360° be
performed before it is back where it started? written as the compositions of two reflections?
Justify your answers.
50. DISCUSS MATHEMATICAL THINKING Is it possible for
a figure to have 90° rotational symmetry but not 180°
rotational symmetry? Explain your reasoning. 53. REASONING The vertices of a quadrilateral after a
reflection in the line y = −x, followed by a rotation
51. DIG DEEPER △XYZ has vertices X(2, 5), of 90° counterclockwise about the origin, are
Y(3, 1), and Z(0, 2). Rotate △XYZ 90° D″(−1, −2), E″ (4, −1), F″(3, 2), and G″(1, 1).
counterclockwise about the point P(−2, −1). What are the vertices of quadrilateral DEFG?

REVIEW & REFRESH

In Exercises 54 and 55, ⃗
DF bisects ∠CDE. Find the In Exercises 61–63, graph the polygon with the
indicated angle measures. given vertices and its image after the indicated
transformation.
54. m∠CDF = 43°. Find m∠EDF and m∠CDE.
61. A(−4, 1), B(−3, 3), C(−1, 2)
55. m∠CDE = 102°. Find m∠CDF and m∠EDF. Reflection: in the x-axis

56. The figures are congruent. Name the corresponding 62. J(−2, −3), K(−1, 1), L(2, 0), M(1, −4)
angles and the corresponding sides. Translation: (x, y) → (x + 3, y − 2)
P W
Q V 63. X(2, −1), Y(5, 1), Z(4, −4)
Rotation: 180° about the origin

T X
In Exercises 64 and 65, decide whether inductive
reasoning or deductive reasoning is used to reach the
S R Z Y conclusion. Explain your reasoning.
57. The endpoints of the directed line segment AB 64. Each time you ride your bike, you take a bottle of
are A(1, 2) and B(10, 5). Find the coordinates of water. So, the next time you ride your bike, you
point P along segment AB so that the ratio of will take a bottle of water.
AP to PB is 1 to 2.
65. All birds have feathers. A robin is a type of bird.
58. Graph the system. Identify a solution. So, a robin has feathers.
y < x+3
66. Identify the population and sample in the study
y ≥ —12x + 1 below. Describe the sample.

59. Determine whether the table represents a linear or In the United Kingdom, a survey of 1467 high
an exponential function. Explain. school students found that 723 of them planned
to attend a four-year college.
x −1 0 1 2 3
67. MODELING REAL LIFE Cell phones use
y 0.5 2 8 32 128 bars like the ones shown to indicate
how much signal strength a phone
60. Classify the polygon by the receives from the nearest service tower.
number of sides. Tell whether Each bar is parallel to the bar directly
it is convex or concave. next to it. Explain why the tallest bar
is parallel to the shortest bar.

GO DIGITAL

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