Rotations: Introduction

How it works ?

1. The applet below was designed to help you better understand what it means to rotate a point about another point.

   In the applet below, feel free to change the locations of point A and point B.

   Interact with this applet for a few minutes, then answer the questions that follow.
   Questions:

   1) Regardless of the amount of rotation, how does the distance AC compare to the distance AB?

   2) Notice how, in the applet above, the angle of rotation could be positive or negative.

   From what you’ve observed, what does it mean for a rotation angle to have positive orientation?

   What does it mean for an angle of rotation to have negative orientation? Explain.