Reflecting a Shape
(KS2, Year 6)
A shape can be reflected. When a shape is reflected, each point on the shape is reflected in a line of reflection.

How to Reflect a Shape

Reflecting a shape is easy.

Question

Reflect the shape in the line of reflection.
reflect a shape example

Step-by-Step:

Let us start by choosing a point on the shape and reflecting it. We will reflect point A.

1

Draw a line from point A to the line of reflection, such that it meets the line of reflection at 90°.reflect_a_shape_step_1Don't forget: We can also say that the lines meet at a right angle or are perpendicular to each other.

2

Measure the length of this line from the point to the line of reflection. reflect_a_shape_step_2

3

Measure out the length found in Step 2 in the same direction on the other side of the line of reflection. reflect_a_shape_step_3
Point A has been reflected in the line of reflection to find A', the corresponding point on the reflected shape.reflect_a_shape_point_A_answerRepeat for points B and C:reflect_a_shape_example_A_B_C

Answer:

With all the vertices (corners) of the shape reflected, the reflected shape can be drawn:

reflect a shape answer

Lesson Slides

The slider below shows another real example of how to reflect a shape.

What Is a Reflection?

A reflection flips a shape so that it becomes a mirror image of itself. A reflection is a type of transformation.

Visualizing a Reflection

To visualize a reflection, think of the reflection you would see in a mirror or in water. The orginal shape is called the object, the reflected shape is called the image: mirror_image

Properties of Reflections

  • Each point in the image (the reflection) is the same perpendicular distance from the line of reflection as the corresponding point in the object. properties_of_reflection_mini Point A' is the reflection of point A. They are both 3 squares away from the line of reflection. Point B' is the reflection of point B. They are both 1 square away from the line of reflection.
  • The image is the same size as the object.
If you were to fold the diagram along the line of reflection, the reflection would fit exactly over the original shape. reflection_fold_mini
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This page was written by Stephen Clarke.