Steply

Reflect A(-1, 1) B(1, 2) C(0, 4) in the line x = 2

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

Step by step

The question

Question: reflect the shape A(−1, 1), B(1, 2) and C(0, 4) in the line x = 2.

A(−1, 1), B(1, 2) and C(0, 4)
= in the line x = 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 x = 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: 3.

Then count 3 more on the other side.

We call the new point A prime.

The little mark means: the new A.

A is 3 left of the line.

Its image is 3 right of it.

Its y stays 1.

So A' is (5, 1).

A(−1, 1) → A'(5, 1)

Careful!

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

Careful: not A'(1, 1) ✗

B is 1 left of it, so B' is 1 right of: (3, 2).

B(1, 2) → B'(3, 2)

C is 2 left of it, so C' is 2 right of: (4, 4).

C(0, 4) → C'(4, 4)

4 Draw the image

Join the new points.

This new shape is called the image.

So the image is A'(5, 1), B'(3, 2) and C'(4, 4).

A'(5, 1), B'(3, 2) and C'(4, 4)

5 Check

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

Halfway between −1 and 5: add them, then divide by 2.

That is 2: the line x = 2.

Right!

A: −1 + 52 = 2

B: halfway between 1 and 3 is 2 too.

B: 1 + 32 = 2

C: halfway between 0 and 4 is 2 too.

C: 0 + 42 = 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'(5, 1), B'(3, 2) and C'(4, 4)

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

A(−1, 3) B(1, 4) C(0, 6): in the line x = 3
Show the answer
A'(7, 3), B'(5, 4) and C'(6, 6)

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