Geometric Designs

Objectives:
1.Draw compositions of transformations such as reflection, rotation, translation and glide
reflections
2. Describe symmetry in nature
3. Define the key concepts in transformation
4. Identify the different kinds of transformation
5. Summarize the salient features of each kind of transformation.
Symmetry
We cannot deny the fact that one of the most important and beautiful topics that
combine many areas of modern mathematics is the study of symmetry. If not all of us have an
intuitive idea of symmetry, almost all of us are easily attracted to the alluring beauty of
symmetry.
Symmetry is present everywhere in nature. It is also one of the most prevalent themes
in art , architecture , and design - in cultures all over the world and through out human history
. It is certainly one of the most powerful and pervasive concepts in mathematics .
This section will help us to fully understand symmetry in mathematics and the way in
which it arises in various contexts we are familiar with.

What is Symmetry
Symmetry comes from a Greek word symmetros meaning “ to measure together” It is
widely used in study of geometry.
Mathematically, if one shape becomes exactly like another when you move it in some
way such as turn , flip, or slide, we are referring to symmetry. It means transformation occurs.
The act of moving a geometric figure from a starting position to another ending position
without altering its shape or size called transformation or a rigid motion.
Symmetry occurs when there are two objects that are of exactly the same size and
shape with one object having a different orientation from the first , also symmetry occurs when
the shape object is exactly around a certain line which is termed as axis of symmetry . In a
symmetric pattern , a particular part of design is repeated again and again to get a perfect
symmetry.
 When working with symmetry , the initial image is called the pre image , and the
second image is called the image because it is the final step in the process.
Not all objects have symmetry ; if an object is not symmetrical, it is called asymmetric.
An object is symmetric if there is transformation.

Four basic types of Symmetry

1. Reflection Symmetry
2. Rotational Symmetry
3. Translational Symmetry
4. Glide Symmetry

Reflection Symmetry
Reflection Symmetry is the simplest symmetry and the kind of symmetry you see when
you look in the mirror , Simply , it happens when an object is reflected across a line. It means
half of the image is exactly the same as the other half ; thus it is easy to recognize it. Every
reflection has a mirror line.
If a line ca be drawn through a figure so one side of the figure is reflection of the other
side, the line is called a line symmetry or mirror symmetry.

For example, if you draw a vertical line down the center of the butterfly’s body ., you
can see that the left side is a mirror image of the right side . The line drawn is known as “ line of
symmetry,”a line on which a figure can be folded so that both sides match.

Here are some more examples of reflection symmetry. You could fold the picture along
line t and the left figure would coincide with the corresponding parts of the right figure .
 The line of symmetry does not have to be vertical; it can go to any direction. The H and X
have a reflectional symmetry about both horizontal and vertical lines of reflection.

There are some objects or images that have more than one axis of reflection symmetry.
Here are some examples:

Test You Understanding

Directions: State whether the figure appears to have a line of symmetry. Write yes or no. If so, state their
numbers.

_____________1. ______________ 6. 
_____________2 _____________ 7.
N
_____________3. _____________ 8.

_____________4. _____________ 9.

_____________5. _____________ 10.

P
Rotational Symmetry
 Rotational Symmetry -occurs when an object is rotated about a fixed center ( a point that doesn’t move ) or
a vertex by an angle greater than 0º but less than 360 º. The object can be rotated more than once and appears the
same after rotating by some amount around the center point.

The smallest angle through which an object can be rotated to coincide with itself is known as angle of
rotational symmetry. For example, the figure below ( an hour glass) ca be turned by 180 º and will still look the
same

The number of rotations is called the order of rotation. When an image is rotated two times
The number of rotations is called the order of rotation. When an image is rotated two times, and it looks
exactly the same as it did originally when we rotated it, is said to have a rotational symmetry of second order.
Similarly, if an image is rotated three times and still is the same, then it possesses order three rotational symmetry,
and so on.

For the star,it can be turned by 720 but, where did 720 come from? The star has five points, thus, if it is
1 1
rotated until It looks the same, you need to make of a complete 3600 turn since, x 3600 = 720, this is a 720,
5 5
angle rotation.

Remarks: a figure has order n rotational symmetry if 1/n of a complete turn leaves the figure uncharged.

Example of Order of Rotational Symmetry

1. Rectangle (clockwise) . The rectangle has a rotational symmetry of order 2. It looks exactly the same
as it did originally when we rotated the figure through 3600.
2. Letter B (clockwise) . We observe that only at one position does the letter look exactly the same after
taking one complete rotation.
3. Regular Hexagon. A regular hexagon has an order of rotational symmetry of 6.

How to Graph a Rotation

Rotations in the coordinate plane:

Keep in mind that rotations on a coordinate grid are considered to be counterclockwise, unless
otherwise stated. While most rotations will be centered at the origin, the center of rotation will
be indicated in the problem (or in the notation).

 Rotation 90º Starting with ΔABC, draw the rotation of 90º centered

at the origin. (The rotation is counterclockwise.)

To "see" that this is a rotation of 90º, imagine

point B attached to the red arrow. The red arrow is then
moved 90º (notice the 90º angle formed by the two red
arrows). Look at the new position of point B, labeled B'.
This same approach can be used for all three vertices.

Rotation of 90º on coordinate axes.

Centered at origin.
(x, y) → (-y, x)

   

 Rotation 180º: Starting with ΔABC, draw the rotation of 180º centered
at the origin. (The rotation is counterclockwise.)

As we did in the previous example, imagine

point B attached to the red arrow from the center (0,0).
The arrow is then moved 180º (which forms a straight
line). Notice the new position of B, labeled B'.

Rotation of 180º on coordinate axes.

Centered at origin.
(x, y) → (-x, -y)
(same as point reflection in origin)

   

Test your Understanding

A. Directions: State whether the figure has rotational symmetry. Identify the order and magnitude of
symmetry for each of the following shapes:
___________1.

___________2.

___________3.

___________4.

___________5.

___________6.

___________7.

____________8

B. Graph the following points, then construct the image of the figure after a rotation of 900and 1800
counterclockwise about the origin, and write the coordinates of its vertices.

1. A(-1,3), B (4,2), C (0,-2)

2. P (5,2), Q (7,2), R (6,-3), (4,-3
 Translation Symmetry

Translation is the act of “sliding” an object into a new location either up or down without change
to its shape, size, or orientation. It can be described by stating how far it moves an object, and to what
direction. In conclusion, every translation has both direction and distance. With the help of the translation
vector, we can easily determine the exact and concise direction and distance that a figure is moved during a
translation.

To fully understand the meaning of translation, observe carefully the figure below. Locate the
vertices of trapezoid ABCD and trapezoid IJKL. How far is trapezoid IJKL from trapezoid ABCD?

To fully understand the meaning of translation, observe carefully the figure below. Locate the
vertices of triangle ABC and triangle A”B’C’. How far is triangle ABC from triangle A’B’C’?

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

A. Directions: Which shapes below show translation?

1.

4.

2.
 5.

3.

B. Find the vertices of the translated figure.

1. Given: triangle ABC

2. Given: Quadrilateral EFGH

3. Given: Triangle CDE

Glide Reflection

A glide reflection symmetry is a combination of two symmetries: the reflection symmetry and the
translation symmetry. Glide reflection is a mirror reflection followed by a translation parallel to the mirror. In short,
the vector of translation and the axis of reflection are parallel to each other. Hence, every glide reflection has a
mirror line and a translation distance.

Glide- reflection symmetry is commonly found on decorative patterns, like wallpaper designs, vases, edges
of carpets, and many others. Sometimes glide symmetry is difficult to recognize, however.

The most obvious example of glide-reflection symmetry is footprints. The right footprints are mirrored and
moved, to match the left footprints.
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

A. Describe the composition in the diagram

1.

2.

3.

B. Graph the following

1. BOY has vertices B(4,-1), O(5,-2), and Y(1,-4). Reflect it across the y-axis, and then translate it (x,y)
(x+2, y+5).
2. Triangle STU has vertices S(5,-2) T(1,-4) and U(-3,3). Reflect Triangle STU across x=2, then translate it
along (x,y) (x-2, y+1).
Name:_______________________________ Score: ______________

Course/Year/Section: __________________ Date:_______________

A. Directions: Determine the coordinates of the given image under each transformation.
1. A (3, -7)
a. A translation 3 units left and 1 unit up A1
b. A rotation 900 about the origin A2
c. A reflection across the y-axis A3
2. URL has vertices U(-3,-1), R (-3,-3), and L (0,-3)
a. A translation from U(-3,-1) to (-3 -2, -1 + 1)
b. Reflection across x = 1

B. Complete the following table:

SHAPE ORDER OF ROTATIONAL NUMBER OF LINES OF

SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
C. See if your name has symmetrical letters in it. Identify those letters.