Which transformation does not affect the orientation of a figure?

The transformation that does not affect the orientation of a figure is translation. When a figure is translated, it is moved from one position to another without changing its shape, size, or orientation. This means that the figure remains in the same direction and retains its original configuration, simply shifting it along a straight path in the plane.

In contrast, reflection reverses the orientation of a figure across a line, creating a mirrored image. Rotation also alters the orientation as it turns the figure around a specific point. Dilation, while primarily affecting the size of the figure, can also influence its positioning in relation to the original coordinates, though it does not change the flat orientation or how sides line up with one another. Thus, translation is unique in maintaining both the shape and the orientation of the figure.