Unit 3: Symmetry & Transformations

Unit 3 Resources & Lessons

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Daily Lesson Slides

Day 0: Introduction to Graphing

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Day 1: Lines & Point Symmetry

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Day 2: Reflections & Rotations

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Day 3: Translations & Dilations

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Day 4: Sequences of Transformations

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Unit 3: How to Guide

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Day 1: Lines & Point Symmetry

Objective: To define and identify line symmetry and point symmetry in geometric figures.

Concept: Line Symmetry

A figure has line symmetry (or reflectional symmetry) if you can draw a line that divides the figure into two mirror images. This line is called the line of symmetry.

Concept: Point Symmetry

A figure has point symmetry if it looks the same after a 180° rotation around a central point. Every point on the figure has a corresponding point the same distance from the center, in the opposite direction.

I Do: Examples

  • A square has 4 lines of symmetry and also has point symmetry.
  • A rectangle (that is not a square) has 2 lines of symmetry and point symmetry.
  • The letter H has two lines of symmetry and point symmetry.
  • The letter A has one line of symmetry but no point symmetry.

Practice

How many lines of symmetry does a regular pentagon have?

Does the letter 'Z' have point symmetry? (Yes/No)

Day 2: Reflections & Rotations

Objective: To perform reflections and rotations on the coordinate plane.

Concept: Reflections (A Flip)

A reflection flips a figure across a line. Common reflection rules:

  • Across the x-axis: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (x, -y) \)
  • Across the y-axis: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (-x, y) \)
  • Across the line y = x: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (y, x) \)

Concept: Rotations (A Turn)

A rotation turns a figure around a center point. Common counter-clockwise rotations about the origin (0,0):

  • 90° rotation: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (-y, x) \)
  • 180° rotation: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (-x, -y) \)
  • 270° rotation: \( (x, y) \rightarrow (y, -x) \)

Practice

Reflect point A(3, -5) across the y-axis. A' = ()

Rotate point B(-2, 6) 180° about the origin. B' = ()

Day 3: Translations & Dilations

Objective: To perform translations and dilations on the coordinate plane.

Concept: Translations (A Slide)

A translation slides every point in a figure the same distance and direction. The rule is written as \( (x, y) \rightarrow (x+a, y+b) \), where 'a' is the horizontal shift and 'b' is the vertical shift.

Concept: Dilations (A Resize)

A dilation changes the size of a figure. The rule for a dilation centered at the origin is \( (x, y) \rightarrow (kx, ky) \), where 'k' is the scale factor.

  • If \(|k| > 1\), it's an enlargement (gets bigger).
  • If \(0 < |k| < 1\), it's a reduction (gets smaller).

Practice

Translate point C(8, 2) using the rule \( (x, y) \rightarrow (x-5, y+3) \). C' = ()

Dilate point D(4, -6) by a scale factor of 0.5. D' = ()

Day 4: Sequences of Transformations

Objective: To perform a sequence of multiple transformations and understand the difference between congruent and similar figures.

Concept: Composition of Transformations

This is when you apply more than one transformation to a figure. It's important to perform them in the order they are given, as the order can change the final result.

Concept: Congruence vs. Similarity

Two figures are...

  • Congruent: If one can be mapped onto the other using only rigid motions (translations, reflections, rotations). They are the same shape and same size.
  • Similar: If one can be mapped onto the other using rigid motions AND dilations. They are the same shape, but different sizes.

Practice

Point E is (2, 3). Reflect it over the x-axis, then translate it by \( (x,y) \rightarrow (x+1, y-4) \). What is the final coordinate E''? ()

If a figure is rotated and then dilated, is the new figure congruent or similar to the original?

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