Reflection: Coordinate Geometry
Reflection: Coordinate Geometry
Reflection: Coordinate Geometry
101 Reflection
Introduction
Coordinate geometry is that branch of Mathematics which deals with the study of geometry
by means of algebra. In coordinate geometry, we represent a point in a plane by an ordered
pair of real numbers, called coordinates of the point; and a straight line or a curve by an
algebraic equation with real coefficients. Thus, we use algebra advantageously to the study
of straight lines and geometric curves.
Recall that there is one and only one point on a number line associated with each
real number. A similar situation exists for points in a plane and ordered pairs of real
numbers.
In this chapter, we shall learn the concept of reflection of a point in a line. In particular,
we will find the reflection of a point in lines: x = 0, y = 0, x = a, y = a. We shall also find
the reflection of a point in the origin and will study about invariant points.
(iii) X′OX and Y′OY taken together are called coordinate axes.
(iv) the point O is called the origin.
Ordinate
(ii) MP is called y-coordinate or ordinate of P and is y
Invariant point
In particular, if the point P lies on the line AB, then the image of P is P itself. Such a point
is called an invariant point with respect to the line AB. This leads to :
Definition. A point is called an invariant point with respect to a given line if and only if it
lies on the line.
Reflection 2121
From figure, the coordinates of the point P′ are (x, – y). Y
Thus, the reflection of the point P(x, y) in the x-axis is the P(x, y)
point P′ (x, – y).
Rule to find the reflection of a point in the x-axis :
(i) Retain the abscissa i.e. x-coordinate. X′ O M X
(ii) Change the sign of ordinate i.e. y-coordinate.
For example: P′(x, – y)
(i) the reflection of the point (2, 3) in the x-axis is the point Y′
(2, – 3).
(ii) the reflection of the point (– 4, – 1) in the x-axis is the point (– 4, 1).
(iii) the reflection of the point (5, 0) in the x-axis is the point itself, therefore, the point
(5, 0) is invariant with respect to x-axis.
(i) the reflection of the point (2, 3) in the y-axis is the point
(– 2, 3).
(ii) the reflection of the point (– 4, – 1) in the y-axis is the point (4, – 1).
(iii) the reflection of the point (0, 5) in the y-axis is the point itself, therefore, the point
(0, 5) is invariant with respect to y-axis.
x=a
From P, draw PM perpendicular to the line AB and a
produce it to a point P′ such that MP′ = MP. Then the O
X′ X
point P′ is the reflection of the point P in the line AB i.e.
in the line x = a. B
Y′
From figure, the coordinates of the point M are
(a , y). Let the coordinates of the point P′ be (α, β).
Since MP′ = MP i.e. M(a, y) is mid-point of the line segment PP′, we have
x+α y+β
= a and = y (See article 11.1.1)
2 2
⇒ x + α = 2 a and y + β = 2 y
⇒ α = – x + 2 a and β = y
⇒ the coordinates of the point P′ are (– x + 2 a, y).
Thus, the reflection of the point P (x, y) in the line x = a is the point P′ (– x + 2a, y).
For example:
(i) the reflection of the point (3, 2) in the line x = 2 is the point (– 3 + 2 × 2, 2) i.e.
(1, 2).
(ii) the reflection of the point (– 3, – 4) in the line x = 2 is the point (3 + 2 × 2, – 4) i.e.
(7, – 4).
(iii) the reflection of the point (2, – 5) in the line x = – 1 is the point (– 2 + 2 × (– 1), – 5) i.e.
(– 4, – 5).
(iv) the reflection of the point (2, – 3) in the line x = 2 is the point (– 2 + 2 × 2, – 3) i.e.
(2, – 3) i.e. the point itself, therefore, the point (2, – 3) is invariant with respect to
the line x = 2.
Reflection 2123
10.3.1 Reflection of a point in the origin Y
Let P (x, y) be any point in the coordinate plane. Join PO, and
P(x, y)
produce it to a point P′ such that OP′ = OP. Then the point P′
is the reflection of the point P in the origin.
From figure, the coordinates of the point P′ are (– x, – y).
Thus, the reflection of the point P(x , y) in the origin is the X′ O(0, 0) X
point P′(– x, – y).
Rule to find the reflection of a point in the origin : P′(– x, – y)
(i) Change the sign of abscissa i.e. x-coordinate.
Y′
(ii) Change the sign of ordinate i.e. y-coordinate.
For example:
(i) the reflection of the point (2, 3) in the origin is the point (– 2, – 3).
(ii) the reflection of the point (– 4, – 1) in the origin is the point (4, 1).
(iii) the reflection of the point (5, 0) in the origin is the point (– 5, 0).
Illustrative Examples
Example 1. The point P (– 3, – 2) on reflection in x-axis is mapped on P′. Then P′ on reflection
in the origin is mapped as P′′. Find the coordinates of P′ and P′′.
Write down a single transformation that maps P onto P′′. Y
3 –
Solution. Since the point P′ is the reflection of the
P′(– 3, 2)
point P (– 3, – 2) in x-axis, the coordinates of P′ are (– 3, 2). 2 –
Example 3. A point P is reflected to P′ in the x-axis. The coordinates of its image are
(2, – 3). Find :
(i) the coordinates of P.
(ii) the coordinates of the image P′′ of P under reflection in the y-axis.
(iii) the coordinates of the image Q′ of the point Q (1, 2) in the line PP′.
Example 4. Points (3, 0) and (– 1, 0) are invariant points under reflection in the line L1; points
(0, – 3) and (0, 1) are invariant points on reflection in line L2 .
(i) Name the lines L1 and L2 .
(ii) Write down the images of points P(3, 4) and Q(– 5, – 2) on reflection in L1 . Name the
images as P′ and Q′ respectively.
(iii) Write down the images of P and Q on reflection in L2 . Name the images as P′′ and Q′′
respectively.
(iv) State or describe a single trans- Y
formation that maps P′ onto P′′.
Solution. 5
P′′(– 3, 4) 4
(i) Since the points (3, 0) and P(3, 4)
(– 1, 0) are invariant points under 3
Example 5. The points A (2, 1), B (0, 3) and C (– 2, – 2) are the vertices of a triangle.
(i) Plot the points on the graph paper. Y
(ii) Draw the triangle formed by reflecting
• B (0, 3)
3 –
these points in the x-axis.
(iii) Are the two triangles congruent? C′ (–2, 2)
• 2 –
Solution. Take 1 cm = 1 unit on both axes.
(i) Plot the points A (2, 1), B (0, 3) 1 – • A (2, 1)
and C (– 2, – 2) as shown in the
adjoining diagram.
–3 – 2 – 1
O 1 2 3 X
X′
(ii) The points A′ (2, – 1), B′ (0, – 3) and
C′ (– 2, 2) are the reflections of the –1 – • A′ (2, –1)
points A, B and C respectively in
the x-axis. The triangle formed by • –2 –
C (–2, –2)
the points A′, B′ and C′ has been
shown in the diagram by dotted • B′ (0, –3)
– 3 –
lines. Y′
Reflection 2125
(iii) The two triangles ABC and A′B′C′ are congruent (measure the distances and check
it).
Example 6. Use graph paper for this question.
A (1, 1), B (5, 1), C (4, 2) and D (2, 2) are the vertices of a quadrilateral. Name the quadrilateral
ABCD. A, B, C and D are reflected in the origin onto A′, B′, C′ and D′ respectively. Locate A′, B′,
C′ and D′ on the graph sheet and write their coordinates. Are D, A, A′ and D′ collinear? (2004)
Solution. Choose the coordinate axes as shown in the graph paper.
Take 1 cm = 1 unit on both axes.
Y
D (2, 2)
C (4, 2)
2 – • •
1 – • •B
A (1, 1)
(5, 1)
X′ –5 –4 –3 – 2 – 1 O 1 2 3 4 5 X
Y′
Plot the points A (1, 1), B (5, 1), C (4, 2) and D (2, 2) on the graph paper.
The quadrilateral ABCD is an isosceles trapezium.
Reflect the points A, B, C and D in the origin onto the points A′, B′, C′ and D′ respectively
as shown in the graph paper. The coordinates of these points are :
A′ (– 1, – 1), B′ (– 5, – 1), C′ (– 4, – 2) and D′ (– 2, – 2).
On joining the points D and D′, we find that the points A and A′ lie on it. Hence, the
points D, A, A′ and D′ are collinear.
Example 7. Use a graph paper for this question. (Take 10 small divisions = 1 unit on both axes).
Plot the points P(3, 2) and Q(– 3, – 2). From P and Q, draw perpendiculars PM and QN on
the x-axis.
(a) Name the image of P on reflection in the origin.
(b) Assign the special name to the geometrical figure PMQN and find its area.
(c) Write the coordinates of the point to which M is mapped on reflection in
(i) x-axis (ii) y-axis (iii) origin. (2003)
Solution.
Y
(a) The image of the point P(3, 2)
P (3, 2)
on reflection in the origin is the 2 – •
point (– 3, – 2) and the point Q has
coordinates (– 3, – 2) : 1 –
Y′
Y
P (3, 4)
4 – •
3 –
2 –
1 –
O′ (6, 0)
M
O
• 1 2 3 4 5
•
6
X′ X
(0, 0)
–1 –
– 2 –
– 3 –
Reflection 2127
(i) Plot the triangle on a graph sheet taking 2 cm = 1 unit on both the axes.
(ii) Plot D the reflection of B in the y-axis, and write it coordinates.
(iii) Give the geometrical name of the figure ABOD.
(iv) Write the equation of the line of symmetry of the figure ABOD. (2010)
Solution. Take 2 cm = 1 unit on both the axes
(i) Plot the point A(0, 3), B(3, – 2) and O(0, 0) on the graph paper.
Y
•
3 – A (0, 3)
2 –
1 –
O
X′ –3 – 2 – 1 1 2 3 X
–1 –
D
• –2 – • B
Y′ (3, –2)
(–3, –2)
(ii) Plot the point D which is the reflection of the point B in the y-axis. The coordinates
of D are (– 3, – 2).
(iii) ABOD is a kite (arrow).
(iv) The axis of symmetry of the kite ABOD is the y-axis, its equation is x = 0.
Example 10. Use graph paper for this question.
(Take 2 cm = 1 unit along both x and y axes)
Plot the points O (0, 0), A (– 4, 4), B (– 3, 0) and C (0, – 3)
(i) Reflect points A and B in the y-axis and name them A’ and B’ respectively. Write down
their coordinates.
(ii) Name the figure OABCB’A’.
(iii) State the line of symmetry of this figure. (2016)
Solution. Take 2 cm = 1 unit on both the axes.
Plot the points O (0, 0), A (– 4, 4), B (– 3, 0) and C (0, – 3) on the graph paper as
shown.
A(–4, 4) A′(4, 4)
X′ X
B O (0, 0) B′
(–3, 0) (3, 0)
C (0, 3)
Y′
(i) The reflection of the point A (– 4, 4) in the y-axis is the point A’(4, 4) and the
reflection of the point B (– 3, 0) in the y-axis is the point B’ (3, 0).
(ii ) The figure OABCB’A’ is a (concave) hexagon.
(iii) y-axis is the line of symmetry of the figure OABCB’A’.
Example 11. Use graph paper to answer the following questions. (Take 2 cm = 1 unit on both axes)
(i) Plot the points A (– 4, 2) and B (2, 4).
(ii) A′ is the image of A when reflected in the y-axis. Plot it on the graph paper and write the
coordinates of A′.
(iii) B′ is the image of B when reflected in the line AA′. Write the coordinates of B′.
(iv) Write the geometric name of the figure ABA′B′.
(v) Name a line of symmetry of the figure formed. (2014)
Solution. Take 2 cm = 1 unit on both axes.
(i) Plot the points A (– 4, 2) and B (2, 4) on the graph paper as shown.
(ii) The image of the point A (– 4, 2) when reflected in the y-axis is the point
A’ (4, 2).
(iii) The image of the point B (2, 4) when reflected in the line AA’ is the point
B’ (2, 0).
(iv) The figure ABA’B’ is a kite.
(v) The line AA’ i.e. y = 2 is a line of symmetry of the figure ABA’B’.
Reflection 2129
Y
B (2, 4)
A (– 4, 2) A′ (4, 2)
B′ (2, 0)
X’ X
– 4 – 3 – 2 –1 O 1 2 3 4
Y’
x-axis.
(c) ∠ABB′ = 45°. •
A′′
–2 – •
A′
(–3, –2) (3, –2)
(d) The coordinates of
–3 –
A′′ are (– 3, – 2).
(e) The single transfor- –4 – •
mation that maps A′ B′
(5, –4)
to A′′ is the reflection Y′
in the y-axis.
Reflection 2131