Rotations | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

What is a rotation?

• Rotation entails the movement of an object around a specific point.
• The resulting rotated image maintains the same size and shape as the original object, but it assumes a new position and orientation.

How do I rotate a shape?

• Performing a Rotation: To execute a rotation on a coordinate grid, follow these steps:
• Using Tracing Paper: One effective method for drawing a rotation involves utilizing tracing paper, typically provided during exams upon request.
  • Step 1: Tracing Paper Placement
    Position the tracing paper over the page and trace the original object onto it.
  • Step 2: Center of Rotation
    Place your pencil's point at the center of rotation.
  • Step 3: Rotating the Paper
    Rotate the tracing paper by the specified angle, often a common angle like 90°, 180°, or 270° as per the question.
  • Step 4: Drawing the Rotated Image
    With the tracing paper positioned correctly, carefully draw the rotated image onto the coordinate grid.

How do I describe a rotation?

• You must be able to recognize and explain a rotation when shown one.
• To score well, your description of a transformation must be thorough.
• For a rotation, you need to:
  • Identify it as a rotation.
  • Specify the center of rotation (the point around which the object rotates).
  • Indicate the angle of rotation (the number of degrees the object has turned around the center point).
  • Describe the direction of rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise, except when the angle is 180 degrees, in which case direction is not necessary).