How can a translation be represented as a vector?

Conditions

• The translation is defined by horizontal and vertical shifts.

Reasoning, step by step

1. Identify the horizontal shift (e.g., -3 for left 3).
2. Identify the vertical shift (e.g., +1 for up 1).
3. Write these shifts as components of a vector: <horizontal shift, vertical shift>.

Example

The video shows the translation left 3 and up 1 being represented as the vector <-3, 1>.

Common misconceptions

• Confusing the order of the vector components (e.g., writing <1, -3> instead of <-3, 1>).

Watch the explanation

Explore next

• What is the coordinate rule for translating left 3 and up 1?
• How do you translate a shape on a coordinate plane?