CH 12

12
Transformations
Many paths and

entertaining areas are
paved with bricks of the
same size and shape laid in
an interesting design. One
pattern is shown. To design
this pattern, the bricks
undergo one or more
transformations to different
positions. Describe how the
position of brick 2 can be
obtained in relation to brick 1.
This pattern is also an
example of a tessellation.
You will learn more about
transformations and
tessellations as you work
through this chapter.
472
Maths Quest 7 for Victoria
Introduction
Shapes can be moved by an ordered set of moves from one place to another. Such
ordered sets of moves are called transformations. Prior to the transformation the shape
is usually called the original object; after the transformation the shape is called the
image. If after the transformation the image is exactly the same size and shape as the
original object, the transformation is called isometric.
In this chapter we will discuss the following isometric transformations:
1. translations
2. reflections
3. rotations.
When dealing with various transformations, it is customary to denote the image with
the same letters as the original shape, but with an added symbol called a prime. For
example, if the original object that is to undergo transformation is a triangle, named
ABC, then its image after the transformation is usually named ABC.
Translations
If a shape is moved from one position to another, without turning, flipping over or
changing size, then we can say the shape has been translated.
A shape can be translated up, down, right or left. A translation also results from a combination of these moves. It is just as if the object has moved from one place to the other.
WORKED Example 1
For each of the following shapes, specify the translation that took place.
a
b
a'
a
b
b'
THINK
WRITE/DRAW
Select any point on the original

shape (shape a), say right-hand-side
bottom corner point and call it P.
Find the corresponding point on the
image shape (shape a) and call it P.
From point P draw a horizontal line
so that it ends directly below P and
then the vertical line to point P.
Count and record the number of
units the shape has been moved.
a'
a
P'
P
Translation: 4 units right, 2 units up
C h a p t e r 1 2 Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n s
THINK
WRITE/DRAW
Select any point on the original

shape (shape b) and label it P. Find
the corresponding point on the
image shape (b) and label it P.
From point P draw a vertical line
down until it levels with point P,
then draw a horizontal line to meet
the image shape at P.
Count the number of units the shape
has been moved and hence record
the translation that took place.
473
b
b'
P
P'
Translation: 1 unit down, 3 units left
WORKED Example 2
Given that a shape is translated 7 units up and 2 units left,
use graph paper to show its original shape and position
after translation.
THINK
DRAW
Choose a point on the shape and imagine

moving it 7 units up and 2 units to the left.
Repeat this for other points. Draw the
image of the shape and label it a.
a'
Translating more complex objects can be done by following the steps given below.
1. Select some key points first. (The corner points are usually the best to chose for this
purpose.)
2. Translate the selected points as required in the problem.
3. Complete the image of the object, using the points that have been translated earlier
as a guide.
remember
remember
A translation takes place when an object is moved up, down, right or left without
flipping, turning or changing size.
474
12A
WORKED
Example
Translations
1 For each of the following shapes, specify the translation that took place.
1
Translation
c'
l'
c
b'
h'
a'
d'
i'
g
f'
j'
j
i
l
k'
12.1
e'
g'
2 Given the following translations, use graph paper to show the original shape and the
position of the shape after its translation.
2
a
b
c
WORKED
Example
4 left
2 right, 3 up
1 down, 8 left
2 down, 2 left,
3 up, 4 right
4 right, 3 up,
6 right, 2 down
2 right, 4 up,
6 right, 5 down,
3 right, 2 up
3 For each of the following shapes, show the final position after the specified translations.
a
b
c
4 down, 3 left
3 up, 2 left
d
4 right, 2 down, 3 right

f
7 up, 2 left,
3 down, 2 right
5 down, 2 right,
3 down, 3 right
8 down, 2 up,
3 right, 5 left,
2 up, 3 left
475
4 For each of the following, write a single translation that would have taken the object
from its starting point to its final position.
a
Start
Start
Finish
Finish
Start
Finish
Start
Finish
5 multiple choice
If an object is translated 4 units right, 3 units up, 6 units right and 7 units down, its final
position (as compared to its initial position) would be:
A 7 right, 13 up
B 10 right, 10 up
C 10 right, 10 down
D 10 right, 4 down
E 7 right, 13 down
6 Explain the translation that has occurred in each situation.
a
b
5 cm
8 cm
476
7 For each of the following, write a single translation that would have taken the object
from its starting point to its final position.
a 2 left, 3 down, 4 left
b 4 right, 4 down, 3 right
c 5 right, 3 down, 5 up, 3 left
d 6 up, 2 left, 5 up, 4 left
e 4 down, 5 up, 3 left, 4 up, 5 right
f 6 up, 4 right, 12 up, 7 left, 3 up
g 6 down, 5 right, 5 down, 2 left, 3 up, 4 right
h 9 down, 3 right, 5 up, 4 left, 2 up, 3 left, 6 down, 5 left
i 14 up, 8 left, 12 down, 5 right, 3 left, 4 up, 7 right, 2 down
j 8 left, 5 up, 3 right, 5 down, 6 left, 2 down, 8 right, 11 up, 3 left
k 1 right, 2 up, 3 left, 6 up, 3 right, 7 down, 3 right, 12 down, 5 left
l 19 up, 12 left, 8 up, 3 right, 2 down, 5 right, 7 down, 12 left, 14 up
12.2
GAM
me
E ti
Transformations
01
Axes of symmetry
If it is possible to draw a line which would divide a shape into two parts, so that
when folded along that line the parts would coincide exactly, the shape is said to
be symmetrical along that line. The line itself is called the line (or the axis) of
symmetry.
If a mirror is placed along the axis of symmetry, the half of the shape that faces the
mirror, together with its reflection, will form the whole shape (that is, the mirror reflection will look exactly like the other half of the shape). So we can think of the axis of
symmetry as the line that acts like a mirror.
Many things in nature are symmetrical. Some objects have more than one axis of
symmetry, while others have none.
WORKED Example 3
Decide whether the picture of the house
shown at right is symmetrical and, if so,
show where the line of symmetry is.
THINK
1
A line of symmetry divides a shape into

two parts so that if the shape is folded along
it, the two parts will coincide. Imagine
folding the given picture along the line,
drawn through the top point of the roof and
the midpoint of the base of the house.
The two halves will coincide exactly.
WRITE
The shape of the house is symmetrical.
THINK
2
477
DRAW
Show the line of symmetry using a dotted

line.
WORKED Example 4
How many axes of symmetry does this shape have?
THINK
1
WRITE/DRAW
An axis of symmetry is a line that acts

as a mirror. A vertical line through the
top and bottom vertices of the given
shape would divide it into two halves,
which are mirror images of each other.
So it is the axis of symmetry.
Look for other axes of symmetry.
Indicate all the axes of symmetry with
dotted lines.
State the number of axes of symmetry.
There are 4 axes of symmetry.
remember
remember
1. A line (or axis) of symmetry is a line that can be drawn on a shape so that it acts
like a mirror. One side of the object appears reflected in the line of symmetry.
2. If the shape is folded along the line of symmetry, the two sides will coincide
exactly (that is, the shape will fold onto itself).
3. Some shapes have more than one axis of symmetry, while others do not have
any.
478
12B
Axes of symmetry
1 Decide whether each of the following are symmetrical and, if so, show where the line
of symmetry is.
3
WORKED
Example
479
2 Copy each of the following shapes on to grid or squared paper. Carefully cut out each
shape. Fold it to find the axes of symmetry. State the number of axes of symmetry for
each shape. (Some shapes will have more than one axis of symmetry.)
a
b
c
d
3 How many axes of symmetry do each of the following shapes have?

a
b
c
d
e
f
4
WORKED
Example
ABCDEFGHIJKLM
N O P Q R S T UV W XY Z
abcdefghijklm
nopqrstuvwxyz
Copy out the letters and draw in the axes of symmetry for each if appropriate.
a Which upper case letters of the alphabet have a line of symmetry?
b Which lower case letters of the alphabet have a line of symmetry?
c Do any of the letters have more than one line of symmetry? If so, which ones?
5 multiple choice
The number of axes of symmetry in the following shape is:
A 0
B 1
C 2
D 3
E 4
480
6 multiple choice
The number of axes of symmetry in the following shape is:
A 0
B 1
C 2
D 3
E 4
7 For each of the following diagrams, use the dotted line as an axis of symmetry to
complete the picture.
a
b
8 For each of the following, use the dotted line as an axis of symmetry to complete the
picture.
a
b
QUEST
GE
EN
MAT H
12.1
CH
AL
1 Some ducks were walking in a line; one duck was behind two ducks,
one duck was in front of two ducks and one duck was between two
ducks. How many ducks were in the line?
2 This array of 9 nines contains 8 straight lines, each totalling 27 (3
across, 3 down, 2 diagonal). Show how to move 2 nines to new positions
to make 10 straight lines totalling 27.
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
3 Thanh is looking at a photograph of a man and says, Uncles and aunts
have I none, but that mans son is my sons father. Who is the man in
the photograph?
1
1 Describe the translation which has taken place in
the following figure.
Object
Image
2 Show, on a diagram, the original shape and its image after a

translation of 7 units up and 4 units right.
3 Write a single translation that would have taken an object

from its starting point to its final position after following
the translations 8 up, 5 right, 3 down, 6 right, 2 up and 4 left.
4 State each of the translations made in the following diagram.
Start
Finish
5 How many axes of symmetry does this object have?
481
482
6 Draw a shape which has no axes of symmetry.

7 Draw a shape which has one axis of symmetry.
8 Draw a shape which has two axes of symmetry.
For questions 9 and 10, copy and complete each diagram using the dotted line as an axis
of symmetry.
9
10
Reflections
A reflection is an exact image of an object, as seen in a mirror. A reflection is as far
behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
A reflection always
has reversed
orientation; that is,
right appears left
and left appears
right. A mirror is
useful for looking at
reflections of
various shapes.
483
WORKED Example 5
Draw reflections of each of the following objects using the dotted line as the mirror line.
a
b
THINK
DRAW
a A reflection is a reverse image of the

shape that is as far behind the mirror as
the shape is in front of it. Use a mirror to
help you draw the reflection.
b Reflect the shape in the mirror line.

Make sure that all vertices of the image
are as far from the line, as the vertices of
the original shape.
Some shapes are easier to reflect than others. If a mirror is not available to assist you in
obtaining reflections of harder shapes, follow the steps outlined below.
1. First select some key points. (The vertices are usually the most convenient to
choose.)
2. From the selected points draw perpendicular lines (that is, lines at right angles) to
the mirror line.
3. Extend these lines beyond the mirror.
484
4. To find the reflection of any point, measure the distance from that point to the mirror
along the line. The reflection is on the other side of the mirror, at the same distance
from it, as the original point.
5. Complete the reflection of the shape, using the points reflected earlier as a guide.
Note that this technique is especially useful when the mirror line is drawn at an angle,
as shown in the worked example below.
WORKED Example 6
Draw the reflection of the following shape.
THINK
1
Draw perpendicular lines from every

vertex of the shape to the mirror line.
Extend the lines beyond the mirror.
For each vertex, measure the distance to

the mirror along the perpendicular
line. Mark the reflections of the vertices
on the other side of the mirror. They
are at the same distance from it as the
vertices of the original shape.
Use the reflected vertices as a guide to

complete the image.
DRAW
485
remember
remember
1. A reflection is an exact image of a shape, as seen in a mirror.
2. A reflection is as far behind the mirror as the shape is in front of it.
12C
Reflections
1 Draw reflections of each of the following objects in the dotted line.

a
b
5
WORKED
12.3
Example
Reflection
486
WORKED
Example
2 Draw reflections of each of the following shapes.

a
b
3 For each of the following, indicate where a mirror should be placed to produce the
given image.
a
b
487
4 For each of the following, draw the reflected images. Note that some pictures can have
images on both sides of the dotted line.
a
488
QUEST
GE
EN
MAT H
5 A kaleidoscope has beautiful patterns created by a number of mirrors. Some kaleidoscopes have 2 or 3 mirrors, while others have more. Complete the following kaleidoscope pictures by using mirrors to produce reflected images.
a
b
CH
AL
1 Sixteen hockey teams are to play in a knockout competition. Drawn

matches are to be decided by a penalty shoot out. In any round of
games the losing teams are eliminated and the winning teams will go on
to the next round of matches until the final match is played. How many
matches in total will be played in the knock out competition?
2 There are 2 different ways that Emily travels to school. Either she
walks to school and catches the bus home or else catches the bus in the
morning and walks home. In each case, her total travelling time is 45
minutes. If she catches the bus both ways, it takes 20 minutes. How long
would it take if she walked both ways?
3 When Natsuko was 9, her father was 32. Now he is twice as old as she
is. How old is Natsuko?
489
Mirror, mirror . . .
Reflected images are not always where you might expect them to be. Use the
following diagram and place a mirror where indicated. Looking in the mirror only,
try to follow the path to the end. Can you get to the end without getting off the
path?
Mirror
Start
Finish
Design your own path and test how well you can follow the path by looking in a
mirror. You and a partner could have races by timing how long it takes each of you
to complete the path.
490
What was Thomas Edison
Edisons occupation?
Draw the image of each of the numbered

shapes in the corresponding mirror lines (axes of symmetry).
The combined images will indicate the occupation.
2
1
5
3
5
2
6
1
6
13
18
7
13
12
10
7
12
11
11
10
18
15
15
16
20
16
14
20
17
19
14
17
19
What does a baseball

pitcher do to allow everyone
on base to advance one free base?
491
Rotations
An object turning about a certain point is called a rotation.
To specify the rotation we need to identify the centre of rotation (that is, the
point about which the object is to be rotated). We also need to state the size of the
angle of the rotation and whether the object is to be turned in a clockwise or
anticlockwise direction.
Although an object can turn fully or partially, from a fraction of a circle to
many turns of a circle, in this section we will consider only full turn (360),
half a turn (180) or quarter turn (90) rotations and their multiples.
In the design of a fan, one blade is rotated to three different
positions. In the photograph shown, the position of blade 2 is
obtained by rotating blade 1 90 in a clockwise direction or 270
in an anticlockwise direction. The position of blade 3 is obtained
4
by rotating blade 1 180 in either a clockwise or anticlockwise
direction. Similarly, the position of blade 4 is obtained by
rotating blade 1 270 in a clockwise direction or 90 in an
anticlockwise direction.
WORKED Example 7
Specify the rotation that has taken place in the following figure.
(Give two possible answers.)
a
THINK
1
WRITE/DRAW
Select any point on the object (a vertex

is always convenient to choose) and
join it with the centre of rotation, using
a straight-line segment. Find the
corresponding point on the image and
also join it with the centre of rotation.
a'
If the object is rotated in an

anticlockwise direction, the angle
formed between the two lines is 90. So
specify the rotation.
If the object is rotated in a clockwise
direction, the angle of rotation is
360 90 = 270
(or full turn 1--4- turn = 3--4- turn).
Specify the alternative rotation.
Anticlockwise, quarter turn
Clockwise, three-quarter turn
a'
492
To perform a rotation of a shape, use the following steps.

1. Select some key points on the object. (The vertices are usually convenient to choose.)
2. Join the selected points with the centre of rotation, using straight-line segments.
3. For each point, place the centre of your protractor at the centre of rotation, so that
the zero mark is on the line, joining the centre with the point that is to be rotated.
Make sure the protractor faces the specified direction (that is, clockwise or anticlockwise).
4. Rotate each point by the specified number of degrees (the image point is as far
from the centre of rotation as the original point).
Complete the image using the points rotated earlier as a guide.
WORKED Example 8
Show the final position of the following shape after a half-turn
rotation in an anticlockwise direction about the dot.
Select a point on the shape (any vertex

is convenient) and call it say, P. Join
point P with the centre of rotation.
Place the centre of your protractor on
the centre of rotation with its zero at the
line, joining the centre with the point P.
We need to rotate the shape in an
anticlockwise direction by a half-turn
(i.e. 180). So, measure out 180 and
mark the point. (Make sure the
protractor faces the right way; that is,
anticlockwise.) Join the 180 mark with
the centre of rotation. Find the position
of the image point P: it is as far from
the centre of rotation as point P.
Repeat the first step for several other
points and then complete the image of
the shape by using these points as a
guide. Highlight the image with a
different colour.
P
0
DRAW
180
THINK
P'
Note that for the half-turn rotation shown in the example above, it was not really necessary
to specify the direction of rotation. If we were to rotate the above shape in a clockwise
direction, the image would turn out exactly the same as for the anticlockwise rotation.
Can you think of some other rotations which do not require specification of the direction?
If a turn of more than 180 is required and a circular protractor (a protractor that can
measure angles larger than 180) is unavailable, it is easier to perform an equivalent
rotation in the opposite direction. For example, if we need to rotate a shape 3--4- of a turn
493
in a clockwise direction, it is the same as rotating it 1--4- turn in an anticlockwise direction

(this can be easily done using a semicircular protractor).
WORKED Example 9
Show the image of the shape at right after a
an anticlockwise direction.
THINK
1
3
--4
turn rotation in
WRITE/DRAW
A rotation by more than 180 is required.

To make the task simpler, first specify the
equivalent rotation in the opposite
direction (which is less than 180).
Select a convenient point on the shape and
join it with the centre of rotation. Place
your protractor so that its centre is on the
centre of rotation, its zero is on the line
joining the centre with the selected point,
and its scale increases in the clockwise
direction. Measure out 1--4- of a turn (that is,
90) and mark the new position of the
selected point. (Remember it is as far from
the centre of rotation as the original point.)
Repeat the previous step for some other
points and then complete the image, using
those points as a guide. Use a different
colour to highlight the image.
3
--4
turn in an anticlockwise direction =
1
--4
turn in a clockwise direction.
P
0
90
P'
remember
remember
1. A rotation is an image, created by turning an object about a set point.
2. To specify the rotation, we need to state the angle size and the direction of rotation.
3. Any rotation can always be specified two different ways by giving the angle
size for clockwise and anticlockwise direction.
4. Some angles (such as a half-turn) do not need the direction to be specified.
5. If a rotation by more than 180 is required and a circular protractor is not
available, it is easier to perform the equivalent rotation in the opposite direction
(which is less than 180).
494
12D
Rotations
1 Specify the rotation that has taken place in each of the following figures. (Give 2
possible answers in each case.)
7
a
b
c
WORKED
Example
Rotation
a
b
a'
b'
c'
d'
f
f
e'
e
f'
g'
h'
o'
12.4
2 Show the final position of each of the following shapes after a half-turn rotation
about the dot.
8
a
b
c
WORKED
Example
WORKED
Example
3 Show the image of the shape after each of the following rotations.
a
1
--2
turn
1
--4
turn, anticlockwise
1
--4
1
--4
turn, clockwise
4 Show the image of the rectangle after

rotation in a clockwise direction of:
a 135
b 180
c 225
d 360
e 315
f 45.
0
315
1
--2
turn, clockwise d
3
--4
turn
turn, anticlockwise
5 Show the image of the T-shape after

rotation in a clockwise direction of:
a 90
b 120
c 30
d 240
e 300
f 315
g 270
h 180
i 390.
45
0
330
30
300
270
495
60
90
270
90
135
225
120
240
180
150
210
180
6 What is the smallest rotation needed for the image to be the same as the object?
a
b
496
7 Kaleidoscopes produce a pattern which results from reflections in a number of mirrors.

However, the final image appears as if one image has been rotated. For each of the
following, complete the kaleidoscope image by drawing the rotated image in each
section.
a
GAM
me
E ti
Transformations
02
12.2
8 Draw your own design for a kaleidoscope using reflections and rotations.
497
2
For questions 1 and 2, show the image of the shape after reflection.
1
3 Where should a mirror be placed to produce the given image?
4 Draw the reflected image.
5 Complete the pattern using a reflected image.
Object
6 State the rotation that has taken place (2 possible answers).

Image
7 Show the image after a rotation of a
1
--2
turn about the dot.
8 Show the image after a rotation of a
3
--4
turn clockwise.
For questions 9 and 10, what is the smallest rotation needed for the image to be the
same as the object?
9
10
498
Combination transformations
Patterns created can be a combination of
transformations. For example, an image may be
found after a translation and a reflection or after a
rotation and a reflection, as shown in the
following examples.
WORKED Example 10
Find the image after the shape has been translated
2 units right and 4 units down and then reflected in
the line shown.
THINK
1
DRAW
Imagine moving the shape 2 units to the

right and 4 units down. Draw the image
of the translated object, using dotted
lines.
Reflect the first image (the one obtained

as a result of translation) in the shown
line. Remember that the reflection is as
far behind the mirror line as the object
is in front of it.
Erase the first image (in dotted lines).

Name the final image a. (You may also
wish to highlight the final image, using
a different colour.)
a'
499
WORKED Example 11
Find the image after the shape has been rotated a 1--4- turn
in a clockwise direction and then reflected in the line
shown.
THINK
1
DRAW
1
--4
Imagine rotating the shape of a turn

in a clockwise direction. Draw the
rotated image, using dotted lines.
Reflect the first image (obtained as a

result of rotation) in the given line.
b'
3
Erase the intermediate image (the one

in dotted lines) and name the final
image b. (You can highlight the final
image, using a different colour.)
b'
remember
remember
1. A shape can undergo several transformations, for example, rotation, followed
by reflection.
2. A rotation is an image created by turning the object about a set point.
3. A reflection is an image which can be seen as in a mirror.
4. A translation of an object occurs when it is moved up, down, right or left
without flipping, turning or changing size.
500
12E
Combination
transformations
1 For each of the following, find the image after the shape has been translated 3 units left
and 2 units down and then reflected in the line shown.
10
a
b
WORKED
Example
Combined
transformations
2 For each of the following, find the image after the shape has been rotated a
clockwise direction and then reflected in the line shown.
11
a
b
WORKED
Example
1
--4
turn in a
3 a Find the image after the shape has been reflected in a mirror line first, then rotated
a
1
--4
turn in a clockwise direction for each of the shapes in question 2.
b Compare your answers for question 2 and 3 a. Are your images the same? Does it
matter which transformation is carried out first?
501
4 For each of the following shapes, find the correct combination of transformations that
would produce the image shown.
a
b'
b
a'
c'
d
d'
c
e
e'
f'
5 Find the image for each of the following shapes after a
1
--2
turn clockwise, a translation
of 2 units up, followed by 3 units left and then reflection in a mirror line.
a
502
Introducing the world

Introducing
worlds most popular
cereal!
cer
eal!
To find out more about it, start at the
dot shown below and perform each transformation
in order. Write down the symbol found at
each position that you arrive at.
1
O
Q
J
S
E
I F
S
T
A
R
T
L
D
C
Y
H
W
G
1
D F
I
M
T
B
O
A
Z L
R
P
V
N
U
4
N
X
U 3
S
1. Reflect in line 7 .
16. Translation 7 right.
2. Translation 4 down.
17. Rotate 43 turn anticlockwise about M.
clockwise about Z.
33. Rotate 41 turn anticlockwise about V.
6. Translation 4 up.
22. Translation 12 left.
23. Translation 2 down.
37. Rotate 21 turn about

W.
1
3. Rotate 4 turn
8.
1
Rotate 2
turn
about E on line 1.
3
10. Rotate 4 turn

clockwise about H.

1

Z.

14. Rotate 4 turn

clockwise about J.

Q.
42. Rotate 1 21 turns about

X.
503
Transformation design
Use a square sheet of paper and follow the instructions below.
1. Fold D onto A.
2. Fold C onto B.
3. Fold C/B onto D/A.
A
D
A
B
D
A
C
B
D
C
B
A
E
C
Folded sides
4.
5.
6.
7.
Cut out a different shape from each of the two folded sides.
Open out your sheet of paper.
Draw in all axes of symmetry.
Which part of your design would be the building block if you were to create
the whole design by:
(a) reflection?
(b) rotation?
8. Can you use a smaller section as the building block and use both reflection and
rotation to obtain the whole design?
Tessellations
Tessellations are repeated patterns that cover a flat surface with no gaps.
Some simple shapes tessellate by themselves. Others need a combination of 2 or more
shapes. Many beautiful designs can be created using tessellations.
Shapes that tessellate by themselves include equilateral triangles, rectangles, regular
hexagons, certain trapeziums and squares. Some of these are shown below.
Can you think of some other shapes that would tessellate by themselves?
504
WORKED Example 12
Use a rectangle to produce 3 different tessellation patterns.
THINK
DRAW
Place rectangles next to each other.
Place rectangles in groups of 2 with a

different orientation between groups.
Arrange rectangles in a V shape.
History of mathematics
M AU R I T S C O R N E L I U S E S C H E R
(17 June 1898 to 27 March 1972)
Portrait of M. C. Escher
2000 Cordon Art,
Baarn, Holland. All
rights reserved.
During his life . . .

The Boxer rebellion occurs in China.
Flight technology develops from the
Wright brothers first flight in 1903 to the
moon landing in 1969.
Israel is established and Einstein is invited to
become the first president of Israel.
Escher was a Dutch artist who used the
mathematics of symmetry and reflection to
create artworks that involved repeated
patterns, infinite loops and believable but
impossible views.
Eschers father was an engineer and
wanted his son to be an architect, so he sent
MQ 7 Chapter 12 Page 505 Wednesday, May 9, 2001 1:40 PM
One of his most famous works, Relativity

(see below), involves people walking up and
down a set of stairs that goes on in an infinite
loop. The people in this work seem to be
either walking downstairs or upstairs forever.
This is obviously physically impossible but
with the use of angles and symmetry Escher
made this seem possible. There is no obvious
way of resolving the conflict between what
appears reasonable and the knowledge that it
cannot be true.
Escher did not consider himself to be a
mathematician or an artist but was praised by
both groups for the work he did in these
areas.
Questions
1. Where did Escher get his inspiration
for his approach to patterns?
2. What form of mathematics did he
work with?
3. Why is his famous work Relativity
not physically possible?
Research
1. Visit your library or the Internet to
find more examples of Eschers work.
2. Look at the various ways of doing
tessellations and make your own
Escher pattern.
2000 Cordon Art, Baarn, Holland. All rights reserved.
him to the School of Architecture and

Decorative Arts in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Escher preferred to work in the area of art,
especially graphic art, and appeared to have
no interest in mathematics. He never actually
passed at school because of his poor results in
everything except art.
As a young artist Escher travelled widely
around Europe looking for inspiration. He
eventually married and moved to Rome in
1921. He started to paint landscapes but his
paintings included weird angles of
perspective that could not really exist.
Escher fled the political system of Italy in
1936 and moved to neutral Switzerland but
continued to travel whenever possible. He
travelled to Spain to study the main art forms
in that country. He was especially interested
in the tile art of the Moors (people of North
African origin who settled in Spain during the
8th century) and started to research the
mathematical ideas of symmetry and
reflection. The Moors were not allowed to use
pictures and drawings that represented nature
so they constructed their art from repeated
patterns. Escher continued to work with
patterns but used images from nature such as
a flock of birds, which blur into each other, in
the symmetry produced.
Relativity by M. C. Escher
505
506
remember
remember
A tessellation is a pattern, made by repeated use of a shape or group of shapes,
which covers a surface so that there are no gaps.
12F
WORKED
Example
12
Tessellating
triangles and
squares
Tessellating
hexagons
Tessellations
1 a Add 4 more rectangles to each of the designs below to show how the rectangles
tessellate.
i
ii
b Create 2 other tessellating patterns using rectangles.

2 Use an equilateral triangle to produce a tessellating design.
Will regular
pentagons
tessellate?
Will regular
octagons
tessellate?
3 Use a regular hexagon to produce a tessellating design.

4 Which of the following shapes can make tessellations?
a square
b rectangle
d circle
e L-shape
c
f
5 Use the following shapes to produce a tessellation.

a
b
T-shape
U-shape
6 Use both shapes in each case to produce a tessellation.

a
b
7 Modifying tessellations made of rectangles can create some interesting patterns. A

rectangle can be changed by adding and removing parts. It will still tessellate,
provided that the changes are balanced. That is, if a part is added on one side of a
rectangle, exactly the same part is removed from its opposite side.
For example:
507
Complete the balanced changes for each of the following rectangles and draw the final
shape. Show that the final shape tessellates.
a
8 Use a rectangle with balanced changes to create your own tessellation designs. For
example:
9 Other shapes that can also be modified are shown below.
Complete the modifications for each of the following.

a
b
508
12.3
10 Find some other shapes that can be modified to form tessellations.

11 Create your own tessellation using a modified basic shape.
Designing a paved outdoor area

Many paths and entertaining areas are paved with bricks of the same size and shape
laid in an interesting design. One such pattern is shown.
8
5
4
1
2 3
6
7
To design this pattern, the basic shape of the brick undergoes one or more
transformations to different positions.
1. What transformation has occurred to brick 1 to obtain the position of brick 2?
2. What transformation has occurred to brick 2 to obtain the position of brick 3?
3. Describe how the position of brick 3 can be obtained in relation to brick 1.
4. For each of the other numbered bricks in the pattern, describe what
transformations to brick 1 are needed to obtain the position of that brick.
5. Explain why this pattern is an example of a tessellation.
6. Design your own paved entertaining area. You may like to use one or more
shapes which tessellate to form your pattern. Describe what transformations are
involved.
509
summary
Copy the sentences below. Fill in the gaps by choosing the correct word or
expression from the word list that follows.
1
Isometric
result in an image that is exactly the same shape
and size as the original object.
is moving an object up, down, right or left without flipping,

turning or changing size.
An axis of symmetry is a line that can be drawn on a shape so that if the

shape is
along this line, the two sides will coincide exactly.
An axis of symmetry can be thought of as a line that acts like a

. One side of the object appears reflected in the line of
symmetry.
Some shapes have

none.
Reflection of a shape produces an

mirror.
A reflected image is as far behind the mirror line as the

in front of it.
Rotation produces an image created by turning the object about

.
To specify the rotation, we need to state the size of the angle and the
(clockwise or anticlockwise) the shape is to be rotated.
10
Any rotation can be specified in two different ways by stating

of rotation in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction.
11
A tessellation is a pattern made by

shapes so that there are no gaps.
WORD
axis of symmetry, while others have
which is seen as in a
of a shape or group of
LIST
the size of the angle

folded
more than one
transformations
object
a set point
direction
image
is
translation
repeated use
mirror
510
CHAPTER
review
12A
1 Translate each of the following shapes as required:

a
2 up, 3 left
b
3 down, 4 left, 6 up, 2 right d
5 right, 3 down
5 right, 6 up, 2 left, 3 up
12A
2 What single translation is described by each of the following sets of translations?

a 3 up, 4 left, 1 down, 2 left
b 6 down, 5 right, 2 up, 3 right
c 12 up, 3 right, 5 down, 3 left, 4 down, 8 right
12B
3 multiple choice
12B
4 Copy each of the shapes below and draw in the axis of symmetry.
a
b
12C
5 Copy each of the following onto graph paper and draw the reflection in the line shown.
a
b
How many axes of symmetry does this shape have?

A 0
B 1
C 2
D 3
E 4
511
6 Copy each of the following shapes and show where the mirror should be placed to produce
the given image.
12C
a
a
a'
c
b
b'
c
c'
7 Draw the image of each of the following shapes after the specified rotations about the dot.
a
b
c
1
--4
turn clockwise
1
--2
1
--4
turn
8 Draw the image of this shape after a rotation

in a clockwise direction of:
a 45
b 135
c 315.
turn anticlockwise
12D
0
315
45
90
180
12D
135
512
12E
9 For each of the following shapes, find the image after a translation of 5 units left, 3 units up,
followed by a reflection in the dotted line.
a
b
c
12E
10 For each of the shapes in question 9 above, find the image after reflection in the dotted line,
followed by a 3--4- turn in an anticlockwise direction.
12F
11 multiple choice
12F
Which of the following shapes will not tessellate?

A A rectangle
B A square
D An equilateral triangle E A regular hexagon
12 For each of the following, draw the final shape by completing the balanced changes, so that
a tessellating design can be created.
a
b
CHAPTER
test
yourself
12
C A semicircle
Show how each final shape tessellates by drawing part of the pattern.

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12

Many paths and

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

Select any point on the original

Translation: 4 units right, 2 units up

Select any point on the original

Translation: 1 unit down, 3 units left

Choose a point on the shape and imagine

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

4 right, 2 down, 3 right

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

A line of symmetry divides a shape into

Show the line of symmetry using a dotted

An axis of symmetry is a line that acts

State the number of axes of symmetry.

There are 4 axes of symmetry.

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

3 How many axes of symmetry do each of the following shapes have?

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

2 Show, on a diagram, the original shape and its image after a

3 Write a single translation that would have taken an object

5 How many axes of symmetry does this object have?

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

6 Draw a shape which has no axes of symmetry.

a A reflection is a reverse image of the

b Reflect the shape in the mirror line.

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

Draw perpendicular lines from every

For each vertex, measure the distance to

Use the reflected vertices as a guide to

1 Draw reflections of each of the following objects in the dotted line.

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

2 Draw reflections of each of the following shapes.

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

1 Sixteen hockey teams are to play in a knockout competition. Drawn

Draw the image of each of the numbered

What does a baseball

Select any point on the object (a vertex

If the object is rotated in an

Anticlockwise, quarter turn

Clockwise, three-quarter turn

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

To perform a rotation of a shape, use the following steps.

Select a point on the shape (any vertex

in a clockwise direction, it is the same as rotating it 1--4- turn in an anticlockwise direction

A rotation by more than 180 is required.

turn in an anticlockwise direction =

turn in a clockwise direction.

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

4 Show the image of the rectangle after

5 Show the image of the T-shape after

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

7 Kaleidoscopes produce a pattern which results from reflections in a number of mirrors.

3 Where should a mirror be placed to produce the given image?

4 Draw the reflected image.

5 Complete the pattern using a reflected image.

6 State the rotation that has taken place (2 possible answers).

7 Show the image after a rotation of a

turn about the dot.

8 Show the image after a rotation of a

Maths Quest 7 for Victoria

Imagine moving the shape 2 units to the

Reflect the first image (the one obtained