What is rigid motion?

Rigid motion, also known as Euclidean motion, is a type of transformation in geometry that preserves distances and angles. This means that if you take an object and translate, rotate, or flip it using rigid motion, the original shape and size of the object will remain the same.

There are four types of rigid motion: translation, rotation, reflection, and glide reflection. Translation involves moving an object from one position to another without changing the orientation or shape of the object. Rotation involves turning an object around a fixed point, while reflection involves flipping an object across a line called the axis of reflection. Glide reflection combines a translation and a reflection in one motion.

Rigid motion is a fundamental concept in geometry and is used to describe transformations in many areas of mathematics and science, such as physics, computer graphics, and engineering. It is an important tool for understanding spatial relationships and for solving real-world problems.