ΩX = X−2 ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ N
1.1 Reflections
Let ℓ be a line passing through a point P and having a unit normal N Two points X
and X ’ are symmetrical about a line ℓ if the midpoint of the segment XX ’ is the foot
of the perpendicular form X to ℓ. In other words. X and X ’ are symmetrical about ℓ
if we have
1
( X + X ')=F
2
By the theorem, we have
1 1 '
X + X =X− ⟨ X −P , N ⟩ N
2 2
1 +1
X '= X− ⟨ X −P , N ⟩ N
2 2
X ' =X −2 ⟨ X −P , N ⟩ N
Definition 2.2. For a line l the reflection in L is Ω1of E2 to E2 defined by
ΩX = X−2 ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ N
Where N is a unit normal vector to ℓ and P is any point of ℓ.
If F is a figure such that Ω1 F=F , then we say that F is a symmetric about ℓ. The
line ℓ is called line of symmetry or axis of symmetry of F .
Example 2. Let ℓ: 2 x−5 y=1. Reflect the point (2 , 1) and (3 , 4) about the line ℓ.
Solution
Consider X =(2 , 1) ∈ E2 and P(3 , 1) ∈l . The normal vector is (3 ,−5). Thus, the unit
normal vector is ( √334 , √−534 ). We have,
⟨
¿(2, 1)−2 (2 ,1)−(3 , 1),
( 3 −5
,
√ 34 √ 34 ) ⟩( 3 −5
,
√ 34 √ 34 )
ΩX = X−2 ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ N
⟨
¿(2, 1)−2 (−1 , 0),
( √334 , √−534 )⟩( √334 , √−534 )
¿(2, 1)−2(
−3
√ 34
)
( √334 , √−534 )
¿(2, 1)− ( −18 , )
30
34 34
¿ ( 7634 , 341 ) ≈(2.62 , 0.03)
Consider Y = (3,4) ∈ E2 and P(3 , 1) ∈l . Then
⟨
¿(3 , 4)−2 (3 , 4 )−(3 , 1), ( √334 , √−534 )⟩ ( √334 , √−534 )
⟨ (√
¿(3 , 4)−2 (0 , 3),
3 −5
,
34 √34 )⟩ ( √334 , √−534 )
¿(3 , 4)−2(
−15
√ 34 (
)
3 −5
,
√34 √34 )
¿(3 , 4)− (−90
34 34 )
,
150
¿ ( 177
34 34 )
,
−34
≈(6.20 ,−1.17)
Theorem 2.3. Properties of reflection
1. Ωɩ X , Ωɩ Y =d (X , Y ) For all points X , Y in E2
2. Ωɩ Ωɩ X= X for all points in E2
3. Ωɩ : E2 → E 2 is bijection
Theorem 2.4. Ωɩ X= X if ∧only if X ∈l
Proof: We have X – 2 ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ N =X if ∧only if ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ N =0.That is ⟨ X−P , N ⟩ =0
Definition 2.5. If F is any figure Ωɩ is any reflection, then Ωɩ F is called mirror
image of F in the line l . The figure and its figure are observed to have same size
and shape.
Examples. A triangle has the following vertices A = (5,4), B = (6,3), C = (4,2).
Reflect it over the line x = 2
Solution:
Solving for A’
A ’= A−2 ⟨ A−P , N ⟩ N
¿(4 , 2)−2 ⟨ (4 , 2)−(5 , 0), (1, 0) ⟩ (1 , 0)
¿ (4,2) −2 ⟨ (−1 , 2),(1 , 0) ⟩ (1 , 0)
¿(4 , 2)−2(−1+ 0)(1 , 0)
¿(4 , 2)– (−2 , 0)
¿(6 , 2)
Solving for B’
B’ = B - 2⟨ A−P , N ⟩ N
¿(3 ,1)−2 ⟨ (3 , 1)−(5 , 0),(1 ,0) ⟩ (1 , 0)
¿ (3,1) −2 ⟨ (−2 , 1),(1 , 0) ⟩ (1 , 0)
¿(3 ,1)−2(−2+ 0)(1, 0)
¿(3 ,1)– (−4 , 0)
¿(7 ,1)
Solving for C’
C’ = C −¿ 2⟨ A−P , N ⟩ N
¿(4 , 1)−2 ⟨ (4 ,1)−(5 , 0),(1 , 0) ⟩ (1 ,0)
¿ (4,1) −2 ⟨ (−1 , 1),(1 , 0) ⟩ (1 , 0)
¿(4 , 1)−2(−1+0)(1 , 0)
¿(6 ,1)– (−2 ,0)
¿(6 ,1)
References:
https://byjus.com/maths/reflection/#:~:text=In%20Geometry%2C%20a
%20reflection%20is,corresponding%20point%20in%20another%20figure.
