You're probably already familiar with the term "rotation." After all, many things rotate, including the wheels on a car, the propeller of a plane, and the body of a spinning ballerina. But in the world of math, the term "rotation" has a more specific meaning. Let's find out more:
When things rotate in the world of mathematics, they spin around a center. The distance between the center and any point on the spinning object remains the same. Every point on the shape also moves around the center in a perfect circle. The point never moves.
It helps to visualize this concept. Let's take a look at a diagram of a spinning object:
As we can see, the triangle is spinning around the center of rotation. Points A and B are spinning in such a way that their distance from the center of rotation remains the same throughout their motion. The center of rotation never moves.
The center of rotation plays a crucial role in understanding the geometry and mechanics of rotating objects. Apart from maintaining a constant distance between the center and any point on the object, several key properties and concepts are associated with the center of rotation:
Common Core: High School - Geometry Flashcards
Common Core: High School - Geometry Diagnostic Tests
Advanced Geometry Diagnostic Tests
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