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Point \(P\) is rotated \(75^\circ\) counterclockwise about center \(O\) to point \(P'\).
Describe how the image point can be constructed from the angle and the distance \(OP\), and explain why the image point is unique.
Hints
- A rotation fixes its center and preserves distance from that center.
- The direction of the angle matters as well as its size.
- Once the correct ray is fixed, ask how many points on that ray can be the required distance from \(O\).
Solution
1. From ray \(\overrightarrow{OP}\), construct a ray at \(O\) that is \(75^\circ\) counterclockwise from \(\overrightarrow{OP}\).
2. On the new ray, locate \(P'\) so that \(OP'=OP\).
3. These two conditions, \(m\angle POP'=75^\circ\) counterclockwise and \(OP'=OP\), are exactly the defining conditions for the rotation image.
4. A ray contains exactly one point at a specified positive distance from its endpoint, so \(P'\) is unique.
Answer
Construct the ray \(75^\circ\) counterclockwise from \(\overrightarrow{OP}\), then place \(P'\) on it so that \(OP'=OP\). These conditions determine one point, so the rotation image is unique.
