A geometric transformation shifts a figure in the coordinate plane. This specific instance describes a movement where every point of the figure is shifted downwards by seven units and to the right by two units. For example, a point initially located at (0, 0) would be relocated to (2, -7) following this transformation.
Such transformations are fundamental in various fields. In computer graphics, they enable the repositioning of objects on the screen. In engineering, they can model the displacement of structures under stress. Historically, understanding geometric transformations has been crucial in cartography for map projection and in fields like physics for describing the motion of objects.