What distinguishes a rotation transformation from others?

A rotation transformation is specifically characterized by its action of turning a shape around a fixed point, known as the center of rotation. This central point remains in place while the rest of the shape moves in a circular path, maintaining its size and orientation throughout the transformation. The defining feature of rotation is that it does not alter the shape of the object being transformed, meaning that the distance between any two points in the shape remains constant.

Other transformations, such as translations and reflections, involve different actions. For example, a translation moves the entire shape to a new location without changing its orientation, while reflection creates a mirror image of the shape across a particular axis. Unlike these, rotation focuses solely on the circular movement around a fixed point, making it unique among transformation types.