Translation is a term used in geometry to describe the movement of shapes from one position to another.
The translation of shapes is one of 4 transformations that can be made to forms, which are:
- Translation
- Rotation
- Reflection
- Dilation
The translation of a shape will move it up, down, left or right, but the dimensions and appearance of the shape will stay the same. To correctly translate a shape, each point must move at an equal distance.
It’s essential to note that this is not translation if a shape is made larger, smaller, or rotated.
Pupils will first be introduced to the topic by learning about 2D shape translations. So let’s have a look at how that’s done.
Introducing children to the translation of shapes
In KS2, they will be taught how 2D shapes can be moved around a page without altering the shape using squared paper. They’ll practice completing 2D shape translations of:
- triangles;
- squares;
- pentagons;
- rectangles;
- hexagons;
- and more.
To describe the translation of shapes, you have to say how many squares the shape has moved to the left or right and how many it has moved up or down.
A guide to 2D translations of shapes
Let’s have a look at how you can translate a 2D shape.
For example, let’s say the class is tasked with translating the right-angled triangle shown below to the required number of squares.
- First, look at what direction the shape needs to be translated to. In the example above, that’s to the right.
- Next, check how many squares. It’s been given that you must translate it 3 to the right in our example.
- Now, it’s time to translate it. As the shape is given on a coordinates grid, use the squares – count three squares to the right.
- Finally, ensure you check your answer to ensure accuracy. Look at the final drawing – is the shape translated in the correct direction with the right amount of squares?
Talking your class through each step of the translation of shapes, as in the example above, is an excellent way to ensure they understand how the process works.
