A translation slides every point of a shape the same distance in the same direction. The shape doesn't rotate, flip, or resize — it just moves.
To translate a point: moving right adds to x, moving left subtracts from x. Moving up adds to y, moving down subtracts from y.
Example: translate point (3, 4) right 2 and down 5 → (3+2, 4−5) = (5, −1).
Remember
Right → +x. Left → −x. Up → +y. Down → −y. Apply the same shift to every point in the shape.
Real World
Sliding a book across a table is a translation — the book moves but doesn't spin or change size.
Feeling ready?
Put this concept to work with a practice workout.
Related concepts