Slide right and up
A point moving from (2, 1) to (5, 3) has gone 3 right and 2 up.
Compare the across numbers and then the up numbers.
Year 4
Describe movements between positions as translations of a given unit to the left or right and up or down
Describe simple translations by saying how many units a shape moves left, right, up or down.
Lesson overview
Geometry - position and direction
A translation slides a shape without turning it. Describe the movement by saying how many units it goes left or right and how many units it goes up or down.
Slide left and down
A translation can also move a shape left or down.
Use the difference between the coordinates.
The shape does not turn
Translations slide a shape to a new position but keep the same orientation.
Translation means move, not turn.
Worked example
Describe the movement from (3, 2) to (3, 6).
- Compare the first coordinates.
- They are both 3, so there is no left or right movement.
- The second coordinate changes from 2 to 6, which is 4 up.
- So the translation is 4 units up.
Round 1: Learn it
Compare the start and end positions and describe the slide clearly.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
A point moves from (2, 1) to (4, 1). What is the translation?
Question 2
A point moves from (5, 4) to (5, 2). What is the translation?
Question 3
From (1, 3) to (4, 3), how many units right has the point moved?
Question 4
Which statement about translation is correct?
Question 5
A point moves from (6, 2) to (3, 4). Which movement fits?
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Saying a translated shape has turned.
- Mixing up left and right.
- Forgetting to compare both coordinates.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Describe positions on a 2-D grid as coordinates in the first quadrant.
- Plot specified points and draw sides to complete a given polygon.