What do you call a transformation that involves turning a shape around a fixed point?

The transformation that involves turning a shape around a fixed point is known as rotation. In a rotation, every point of the shape moves along a circular path around the center of rotation, which remains unchanged. The angle of rotation specifies how far the shape is turned, and this can be measured in degrees.

For example, if you rotate a triangle 90 degrees around a point, each vertex of the triangle moves to a new position that is 90 degrees away from its original position, while the distance from the center point remains constant. This distinct movement characteristic is what makes rotation different from other transformations.

In contrast, translation involves sliding a shape from one location to another without changing its orientation, dilation changes the size of the shape while maintaining its proportions, and reflection flips the shape over a line, creating a mirror image. Understanding these different transformations is crucial in geometry and helps in visualizing how shapes can be manipulated in space.