Reflections, step by step
A reflection keeps a point the same distance from the mirror and puts it on the other side.
The question
in the x-axis ()
(5, 3) in the x-axis
(5, 3)
3 above→3 below
(5, 3)→(5, −3)
- Start where the point is: (5, 3). The move is in the x-axis, and the question is only where those two numbers end up.
- A mirror keeps the distance and swaps the side. This point is 3 above the x-axis, so its image is 3 below it.
- Nothing moved sideways, so the x-coordinate stays at 5. The image is (5, −3). Notice which number changed: mirroring in the x-axis changes the y.
How it works.
- 01
Start where the point is: (5, 3). The move is in the x-axis, and the question is only where those two numbers end up.
- 02
A mirror keeps the distance and swaps the side. This point is 3 above the x-axis, so its image is 3 below it.
- 03
Nothing moved sideways, so the x-coordinate stays at 5. The image is (5, −3). Notice which number changed: mirroring in the x-axis changes the y.