STEM Excellence Series: Empowering the Next Generation

ISOMETRY

Isometry

Definition Of Isometry

An isometry is a transformation in which the original figure and its image are congruent.

More About Isometry

Isometry is invariant with respect to distance. That is, in an isometry, the distance between any two points in the original figure is the same as the distance between their corresponding images in the transformed figure (image).
Reflections, rotations, translations are isometries.
Dilation is not an isometry.

Video Examples: Regular and Isometry


 

Example of Isometry

The figure shows a translation, an isometry. 
An irregular polygon ABCDE is translated to A'B'C'D'E'.
Notice that the distance between A and B is the same as the distance between their image A' and B'.
 example of    Isometry

Solved Example on Isometry

Ques: What isometry maps figure 1 to figure 3? 


 example of    Isometry

Choices:

A. reflection 
B. translation 
C. rotation 
D. none of these 
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Step 1: An isometry is a transformation in which the original figure and its image are congruent.
Step 2: A reflection flips the figure across a line. The new figure is a mirror image of the original figure.
Step 3: Figure 2 is a reflection of Figure 1 and Figure 3 is a reflection of Figure 2. 
Step 4: A translation is the composition of two reflections in parallel lines.
Step 5: So, the isometry that maps Figure 1 to Figure 3 is a translation.

Quick Summary

  • Isometry preserves distance.
  • Reflections, rotations, and translations are isometries.
  • Dilation is not an isometry.
\[ null \]

🍎 Teacher Insights

Use manipulatives or dynamic geometry software to demonstrate how isometries preserve distance and congruence. Emphasize the difference between isometries and transformations that change size or shape.

🎓 Prerequisites

  • Congruence
  • Transformations
  • Reflections
  • Rotations
  • Translations

Check Your Knowledge

Q1: Which of the following transformations is NOT an isometry?

Q2: If a figure undergoes an isometry, what is true about the original figure and its image?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What transformations are isometries?
A: Reflections, rotations, and translations are isometries.

Q: Does an isometry change the size or shape of a figure?
A: No, isometries only change the position or orientation of a figure; the size and shape remain the same.

© 2026 iCoachMath Global Math Glossary. All Rights Reserved.