Steply

Reflect A(2, 4) B(5, 4) C(5, 6) in the line y = 2

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Reflections · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: reflect the shape A(2, 4), B(5, 4) and C(5, 6) in the line y = 2.

A(2, 4), B(5, 4) and C(5, 6)
= in the line y = 2

1 Draw the shape

Put the points on the grid and join them.

2 Draw the mirror line

The mirror line is the line y = 2.

Reflecting flips the shape over the line, like a mirror.

Each point lands just as far away, on the other side.

reflection = flip

3 Reflect each point

From A, count straight to the mirror line: 2.

Then count 2 more on the other side.

We call the new point A prime.

The little mark means: the new A.

A is 2 above the line.

Its image is 2 below it.

Its x stays 2.

So A' is (2, 0).

A(2, 4) → A'(2, 0)

Careful!

Count to the mirror line y = 2, not to the x-axis.

Careful: not A'(2, −4) ✗

B is 2 above it, so B' is 2 below: (5, 0).

B(5, 4) → B'(5, 0)

C is 4 above it, so C' is 4 below: (5, −2).

C(5, 6) → C'(5, −2)

4 Draw the image

Join the new points.

This new shape is called the image.

So the image is A'(2, 0), B'(5, 0) and C'(5, −2).

A'(2, 0), B'(5, 0) and C'(5, −2)

5 Check

Let's check: the mirror line is halfway between a point and its image.

Halfway between 4 and 0: add them, then divide by 2.

That is 2: the line y = 2.

Right!

A: 4 + 02 = 2

B: halfway between 4 and 0 is 2 too.

B: 4 + 02 = 2

C: halfway between 6 and −2 is 2 too.

C: 6 + (−2)2 = 2

Let's look back.

First: draw the shape.

Then: draw the mirror line.

Then: reflect each point.

Then: draw the image.

Last: check.

Answer
A'(2, 0), B'(5, 0) and C'(5, −2)

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

A(3, 5) B(6, 5) C(6, 7): in the line y = 2
Show the answer
A'(3, −1), B'(6, −1) and C'(6, −3)

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