Transformation

Transformation is a tricky topic avoided by many students and

teachers. Many candidates still believe in the myth that it is one of
the untouchable topics in the current syllabus. However ZIMSEC
made it a regular every year, which leaves majority of the candidates
with 4 options to choose from. [Many also avoids mensuration]
It is the purpose of this eBook to simplify transformation and clarify
some of the concepts. The book is written in a logical manner to
enable candidates to study principles on their own with the help of
more than 10 videos on the topic.
To access the video lessons, Contact the author on:
WhatsApp: +263 733 796 118
Mr A. Chatsakarira

We also have online class for zimsec syllabus. Students learn through
step by step video lessons on every topic. There are more than 300
videos for ordinary maths concepts.
Request to join on the above contact
Table of contents
1. Drawing shapes
2. Deriving Matrices of a shape
3. Vertices of the image given matrices
4. Translation
5. Reflection
6. Rotation
7. Enlargement
8. Stretch
9. Shear
10. Describing a transformation
 1. DRAWING THE SHAPES
This is one of the easiest tasks in this topic. The first question on
transformation is to draw and label the shape given the vertices. This
is a simple task to everyone who knows the Cartesian plane. With the
new paper structure, some labels will already on the graph paper
printed in the exam paper.
NB: Check that these things are done
- Label x and y axis
- Label your axes according to scale [if not already labelled]
- Make sure you label your shape and vertices in correct order

2. DERIVING A MATRIX OF A SHAPE

This is not tested in the exam but helps you to find vertices of the
image if given a transformation matrix. Make sure you always start by
deriving matrices and write them aside for use in the questions that
follow.
Example 1
Triangle DEF has vertices at D(2;2), E(2;6) and F(4;6).
To derive a matrix from this triangle we use the vertices given, in
order
D E F

( )

So you can see that columns are from vertices of the shape.
If it’s a quadrilateral, it must have 4 columns
 3. VERTICES OF THE IMAGE GIVEN MATRIX
That’s when the matrices of the shape matters. You will use them to
calculate the vertices of the image. Taking the same example above
Example 2;
Triangle DEF has vertices at D(2;2), E(2;6) and F(4;6)
(a)Draw and label triangle DEF
(b) Transformation U is defined by the matrix( ).
Draw Triangle D1E1F1, the image of triangle DEF under
transformation U
From the above question, you can see that part (b) required first
finding vertices and then drawing the shape. Multiply transformation
matrix and the shape matrix to find coordinates of the image. Let me
quickly highlight this D1 E1 F1

( )( )=( )

NB: it’s imperative that you learn how to multiply matrices before
studying this topic. It has a lot of its multiplication.
Make sure that you correctly arrange your vertices of the image; they
follow the order of the original shape.
ISOMETRIC TRANSFORMATIONS
4. TRANSLATION (USING MATRICES)
Translation is the simplest transformation and many candidates
usually count boxes of the graph to find the vertices of the image. In
this lesson, I will highlight how to find it using the shape matrix
Example 3:
Triangle DEF has vertices at D(2;2), E(2;6) and F(4;6)
(a)Draw and Label triangle DEF
(b) Triangle D1E1F1 is the image of triangle DEF under a
translation vector( ). Draw and label triangle D2E2F2

Solution
We can use the translation vector and shape matrix to find the vertices
of the image as shown

( )+( ) =( )

=( )

D1 E1 F1
NB: I have simply added the translation vector to each set of
coordinates to find the vertices of the image. The shapes will appear
as shown in the following graph
 5. ROTATION
Another isometric transformation is Rotation. It involves the
following
(a) Direction – Clockwise and Anticlockwise
(b) Centre/Point of rotation
(c) Angle of Rotation – 90˚, 180˚ (for Zimsec Syllabus )
Let’s quickly dive into an example
Example 4:
Given that the same triangle DEF is to be rotated 90˚ clockwise
direction at center (-2;0). Draw and label D3E3F3.

You can see that I have drawn my lines from each point and then used
a protractor or compasses to measure/construct 90˚ at the center of
rotation. Note that the direction is clockwise as shown by the arrow
Example 5: 180˚ Rotation
In case of a 180˚ Rotation, there is no need to use protractor to
measure, since it’s a straight line.
Rotate Triangle DEF 180˚ center (0;4)

Note that I have drawn lines from each point, passing through the
center. The lines from the center to the point and to the image of the
respective point should be equal. Measure by boxes or rulers.

6. REFLECTION
The last isometric transformation is Reflection. It involves the
following
(a) Mirror/Reflection line
(b) Finding equation of the mirror line
Example 6: Reflection using a diagonal line
Reflection can be on a diagonal mirror. I m going to highlight the
easiest, accurate and simple way of doing this
Reflection of Triangle DEF, using line y = -x
Solution
The first thing is to draw the mirror line and the shape and then reflect

Process
- Count your boxes horizontally from the each point to the mirror
line
- Make a right angle turn (i.e vertically) and count the same
number of boxes to the image of each point.
Consider the dotted arrows in the above diagram
Example 7: Reflection parallel to the axes
You can be required to reflect a shape using mirror lines that are
parallel to one of the axes.
Reflection of Triangle DEF, using the line x =-1

Note that the distance from each point to the mirror line is equal with
the images of the points as shown above by the broken arrows
NON – ISOMETRIC TRANSFORMATIONS
In this section I will look at three non-isometric transformations.
These include
A. Enlargement

B. Stretch

C. Shear
Unlike the previously discussed transformations, these changes the
dimensions of the images of the shapes.
Lets consider the following
7. ENLARGEMENT
Enlargement involves
(a) Center of enlargement
(b) Scale of enlargement
(c) Positive and negative
Example 8: Negative Enlargement
Enlargement of Triangle DEF, center (0;4) and scale factor -2
 Negative

Enlargement

Notes:
- Draw broken lines from each point to the center
- Extend your line according to the scale given, in this case it was
-2, therefore my lines were twice longer than those from teach
point to center of enlargement

Example 9: Positive Enlargement

In the case of a positive enlargement, your transformation lines must
go in the same direction according to scale given.
Enlargement of triangle DEF, center (0;4) and scale factor 2
Notes:
- Lines of the image must be twice longer than those from the
shape (the scale was twice large), from the center
- The shapes must be on the same side or quadrant

8. STRETCH
Stretch involves both negative and positive scale factors. So this
means there is
(a) Invariant line/axis
(b) Stretch scale factor
(c) Stretch Matrix
This type of transformation can be solved using geometrical method
of drawing lines but it can be confusing for points in straight line and
shapes that overlaps the invariant line.
To avoid confusion, we will use matrix methods. Lets consider the
following
Example 9: Negative Stretch

Triangle DEF is stretched, scale factor of -

(a) x – axis invariant to triangle D7E7F7

(b) y – axis invariant to triangle D8E8F8
Solution:
The first thing is to find the transformation matrix.

(a) ( ) is the matrix for stretch, x-axis invariant

In this case the stretch factor was - , therefore the matrix will

be ( ). This is the matrix we will use to find the

vertices of the image

( )( )=( )

I will plot my graph using these vertices

(b) ( ) is the matrix for stretch, y-axis invariant

 In this case the stretch factor was - , therefore the matrix will

be ( ). This is the matrix we will use to find the

vertices of the image

( )( )=( )

I will plot my graph using these vertices

Notes:
 - Notice that when x-axis is invariant, y-coordinates don’t change,
only x-coordinates are affected by scale
- If x-axis is invariant, shapes moves/stretches along the x-axis
- Distance ,for the image, from the invariant line/axis is
determined by the scale. Distance from D8 to the invariant line is
a half of the distance from invariant line to point D.
- If the shape stretches with the Negative scale, it goes the
opposite direction.

Example 10: Stretch – positive scale factor

If the scale factor is positive, the image will stretch in the same
quadrant/direction of the shape
Stretch of Triangle DEF, scale factor 2 y-axis invariant

Using the matrix ( )

( )( ) =( )

These will be my vertices for the image under this transformation

Notes:
- x-coordinates don’t change when y-axis is invariant
- the shape stretches along y-axis direction
Example 11
Stretch of Triangle DEF, scale factor 2 x-axis invariant

Using the matrix ( )

( )( ) =( )

These will be my vertices for the image under this transformation

Notes
- shape stretches along x-axis direction
- y-coordinates don’t change if x-axis is invariant
- Distance from the y-axis for the image is determined by the
scale factor

9. SHEAR
This is the last transformation we are going to look at.
Like all non-isometric, it has
(a) A scale factor
(b) Invariant line
(c) Matrix
Its not easy to use the geometrical methods for Shear, hence we will
stick with matrix method
The matrices for shear are

(i) ( ) when the x-axis is invariant, where k is the scale

factor of the transformation
(ii) ( ) when the y-axis is invariant, where k is the scale
factor of the transformation
Example 12: Shear, x-axis invariant

Shear of triangle DEF x-axis invariant, scale factor of

Using the matrix ( )

( )( ) =( )

These will be my vertices for the image under this transformation

Notes:
- Shape shears along the x-axis if its invariant
- y-axis points don’t change if x-axis is invariant

10. DESCRIBING TRANSFORMATIONS

This is the easiest task in this topic since it only requires to identify
key features of any of the transformations types. For
(a) Isometric Transformations
If the shape dimensions don’t change, its obvious that the
transformation is either translation, reflection or rotation.
(i) Translation
 - For translation, if the images has same dimensions and faces the
same direction of the shape, the difference being the position
only, then it’s a translation
- Count the boxes from the shape along the axes to the image or
- Subtract the shape vertices from the image vertices and find a
uniform translation vector
- When describing a translation, state the translation vector

(ii) Reflection
- If the image faces the opposite direction, then that might be
reflection.
- They should be a mirror/reflection line that stands between the
shape and the image
- Don’t forget to mention/find the equation of the mirror line
when describing reflection

(iii) Rotation
- If the image is in another quadrant, then its rotation
- There should be a center of rotation and direction
- For 90˚ rotation, the center is found by bisecting the points of
the shape and the image, they should meet somewhere
- For 180˚, draw straight lines from the shape to the image. They,
all should cross somewhere, that is the center of rotation
- When describing, state the center, direction and angle of rotation
[I will demonstrate this in an example]
(iv) Enlargement
- The other shape will be proportionally different in dimensions
but the angles will be equal.
- lines from each point to the image should meet between the
shape and the image if its negative enlargemtnt or on the other
side of the shape if its positive
MATRIX METHOD
This method of describing involves
(a) finding the matrix of transformation
(b) simultaneous equations
(c) identification of transformation matrix type
This method is safe when describing
(v) Shear
(vi) Stretch
Remember to state the scale factor and the invariant lines/axes
To find the matrices of transformation, formulate an equation with 4
constants and the shape matrix
[I will demonstrate this in the exam type question below
TYPICAL EXAM TYPE QUESTION
[Nov 2009/2/9]

Use the diagram to answer the following questions

(a) ▲B is a reflection of ▲A [2]
(i) Write down the equation of the mirror line [2]
(ii) Given that (k;8) is one of the invariant points under
this reflection, find the value of k [1]

(b) Describe fully the single transformation which maps ▲A

onto ▲C [3]
(c) ▲D is the image of ▲A under an enlargement, centre origin
followed by a translation
Write down
 (i) The scale of the enlargement, [1]
(ii) The translation vector, [2]
(d) Describe fully the single transformation which maps ▲A
onto ▲E [3]

Solution:
(a) (i) the line is passing through (0;2) and (-2;0). Therefore the
equation of the line is y = x + 2

(ii.) drawing a line from y –axis from 8, you will see thatit meets the
reflection line where x is 6
Therefore k = 6
 (b) The shapes have same dimensions, therefore, isometric
transformation. It cannot be reflection or translation.
(c) Use compasses to bisect the distance between the shapes
points as shown

Center of rotation is (2;2) and direction clockwise

(c.) (1) the proportional difference of the dimensions shows the scale
factor is
(ii.) you can see that the translation vector is ( ) as highlighted
above

(d) This is a stretch along the x-axis, you can measure this by the
distance or by finding the matrix of transformation as shown
The scale is 6:9 that is 1; 1 .

It’s also on the opposite side therefore a negative scale factor

Description
Stretch scale factor -1,5 x-axis invariant
USING THE MATRIX METHOD
Take the vertices of both the shape and the image and derive
matrices

Shape A = ( )

Image E = ( )

Transformation matrix = ( )

To find the description we must find the values of the constants a,

b, c and d.
Therefore since the image vertices were found after multiplying the
shape with transformation matrix, lets form some equations

( )( )=( )

Simplifying this , we get

( )=( )

Let’s take first two expressions in the first row and equate them to
values in similar columns on the other side
-2a + 4b = 3
-2a +6b = 3
Solving the simultaneous equations
 a = -1 and b = 0

Doing the same on the second row

-2c + 4d = 4
-2c + 6d = 6
Solving the simultaneous
c = 0 and d=1

Since we have found all our constants lets now write down our
transformation matrix and see the type of transformation used

( )

The matrix shows that the x-axis was invariant with scale factor

So this is how we describe a transformation using matrix method.

To master this you must be able to
- Deal with matrix operations
- Solve simultaneous equations
EXAM TIPS
Transformation hasn’t changed much from previous syllabi but it was
simplified to the extent of candidates collecting all marks. What is
only needed is to master few concepts and combine both geometrical
and matrix methods in dealing with the problems
Here are few discoveries
1. All skills are tested
ZIMSEC exams test at least 4 concepts in the exam. Some
transformations are easier when dealing with matrices and some with
geometrical methods. Candidates must learn both methods to prepare
themselves for the topic.
2. Stretch and Shear
These two types of transformations are tested in the last parts of the
questions. For the past few years the questions for these principles
involved more of description than solving or calculating vertices. You
will be given matrices or vertices of thje shape. Candidates are
required to identify type of transformation after drawing the shape.
There is also something similar with these transformations.
- They both use axes as invariant lines
- They have scale factors
- They move along the invariant lines
The only difference is that, stretch affect all the sides proportionally
and shear mostly affects two or three sides leaving one of the
coordinates set near the original shape.
3. Describing transformations
The first skill that must be mastered is to identify specific matrices for
the transformations. Each transformation has its own special matrix in
relation to the origin.
However, it is difficult to use matrices for isometric transformation
when the center is not the origin.

4. When to use matrices

Matrices are best suited for Stretch and shear transformations since
they use axes as invariant lines. The matrices doesn’t change and are
always accurate. Translation is also easy with column
matriuces/vectors
Matrices can also be a disaster for other types of transformations.
These are
- Rotation
- Reflection
- Enlargement
If the centre is not the origin, they matrices don’t apply. You will
have to modify it to yield best results. However that process might eat
up your time in the exam.
5. Small things to remember
The transformation problems mostly require candidates to ‘draw and
label’ shapes and images. Many candidates forget to label shapes after
drawing. That will cost you some marks and its imperative that you
always check your shapes are correctly labelled.
When describing transformation, don’t forget to list features or
elements of the transformation like centre of rotation, direction and
everything involved
 6. Describing isometric transformations
Rotation, reflection and translation ccan be tricky to explain since
they all don’t change the dimensions of the shape. There are few
things to note:
- Reflected image faces the opposite direction of the original
shape
- Rotation will place the image in another quadrant.
- Translated image looks the same side with the shape. The only
difference is that they are on different vertices
7. Working and labels
Work out your matrices and vertices of the image on the space not on
the graph as it can affect your final work. Remember that the new
structure brings the printed graph in the question paper. If you make
mistake you will to start over all other questions.
Labels must be in ink. Always label your shapes legibly