Transformations are movements through space. Consider actions as diverse as: walking and running; the factory machine that makes a thousand music CDs; the opening and closing of an artificial heart valve; the movement of a robotic Mars Rover; strumming a guitar; artistic perspective; and the combined twists and turns of a roller-coaster.
Real life examples of reflections are:
- the symmetry of your face, a butterfly, an airplane and so many more objects
- mass production of shoes and spectacle frames
- flipping images on a computer
- the mirror images of the chemical structure of the sugar molecules, glucose (in sugarcane) and fructose (in fruit).
Imagine the line under the words CARBON DIOXIDE is a mirror. Draw the reflections of all the letters. What do you notice?
Real life examples of rotations are:
- strumming a guitar
- hitting a nail with a hammer
- picking up a cup
- the agitation of a washing machine
- a ferris wheel turning
- the opening and closing of your heart valves to control blood flow
Maths Fun - How many Heartbeats?
One heart beat is actually two movements that make a "lub-dub" sound. The "lub" sound is made by the atrio-ventricular valves, and the "dub" sound comes from the semi-lunar valves. Your heart beats about 80 beats per minute. If a person had a faulty heart valve removed and replaced it with an artificial valve, how many actions must the artificial valve make if the person survived for 5 years after the operation?
Real life examples of translations are:
- the movement of an aircraft as it moves across the sky
- the lever action of a tap (faucet)
- sewing with a sewing machine
- punching decorative studs into belts
- throwing a shot-put
- making pasta such as spaghetti
Enlargements or Reductions
Real life examples of enlargements/reductions are:
- architectural perspective
- scaled house plans and machinery parts' design
- enlarging and reducing images on a computer
Maths Fun - Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the study of body movements. This study is important in improving the quality of living for injured soldiers requiring prosthetic limbs (e.g. artificial hands). It is also used to improve the performance of Olympic athletes. What transformations occur when you:
- fill a glass with tap water and drink it
- run and jump over a hurdle?