4.

2 Reflections
Essential Question How can you reflect a figure in a
coordinate plane?

Reflecting a Triangle Using a Reflective Device

Work with a partner. Use a straightedge to draw any triangle on paper. Label
it △ABC.
a. Use the straightedge to draw a line that does not pass through the triangle.
Label it m.
b. Place a reflective device on line m.
c. Use the reflective device to plot the images of the vertices of △ABC. Label the
images of vertices A, B, and C as A′, B′, and C′, respectively.
d. Use a straightedge to draw △A′B′C′ by connecting the vertices.

LOOKING FOR
Reflecting a Triangle in a Coordinate Plane
STRUCTURE
To be proficient in math, Work with a partner. Use dynamic geometry software to draw any triangle and label
you need to look closely it △ABC.
to discern a pattern or
a. Reflect △ABC in the y-axis to form △A′B′C′.
structure.
b. What is the relationship between the coordinates of the vertices of △ABC and
those of △A′B′C′?
c. What do you observe about the side lengths and angle measures of the two triangles?
d. Reflect △ABC in the x-axis to form △A′B′C′. Then repeat parts (b) and (c).
Sample
C C′
4 Points
A(−3, 3)
A A′
3 B(−2, −1)
C(−1, 4)
2
Segments
AB = 4.12
1
BC = 5.10
0 AC = 2.24
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
Angles
−1 m∠A = 102.53°
B B′ m∠B = 25.35°
m∠C = 52.13°

Communicate Your Answer

3. How can you reflect a figure in a coordinate plane?

Section 4.2 Reflections 181

4.2 Lesson What You Will Learn
Perform reflections.
Perform glide reflections.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Identify lines of symmetry.
reflection, p. 182 Solve real-life problems involving reflections.
line of reflection, p. 182
glide reflection, p. 184
line symmetry, p. 185 Performing Reflections
line of symmetry, p. 185
Core Concept
Reflections
A reflection is a transformation that uses a line like a mirror to reflect a figure.
The mirror line is called the line of reflection.
A reflection in a line m maps every point
P in the plane to a point P′, so that for P
each point one of the following properties P
P′
is true. P′
• If P is not on m, then m is the
—, or
perpendicular bisector of PP′ m m
• If P is on m, then P = P′. point P not on m point P on m

Reflecting in Horizontal and Vertical Lines

Graph △ABC with vertices A(1, 3), B(5, 2), and C(2, 1) and its image after the
reflection described.
a. In the line n: x = 3 b. In the line m: y = 1

SOLUTION
a. Point A is 2 units left of line n, so its b. Point A is 2 units above line m, so
reflection A′ is 2 units right of line n A′ is 2 units below line m at (1, −1).
at (5, 3). Also, B′ is 2 units left of Also, B′ is 1 unit below line m at
line n at (1, 2), and C′ is 1 unit right (5, 0). Because point C is on line m,
of line n at (4, 1). you know that C = C′.

y n y
4 4
A A′ A
B 2
B
2
B′ C m
C C′ C′ B′
2 4 6 x 6 x
A′

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Graph △ABC from Example 1 and its image after a reflection in the given line.

1. x = 4 2. x = −3

3. y = 2 4. y = −1

182 Chapter 4 Transformations

 Reflecting in the Line y = x
— with endpoints F(−1, 2) and G(1, 2) and its image after a reflection in the
Graph FG
line y = x.

REMEMBER SOLUTION
The product of the slopes The slope of y = x is 1. The segment from F to y y=x
—, is perpendicular to the line of
its image, FF′
4
of perpendicular lines — will be −1
is −1. reflection y = x, so the slope of FF′ F G
(because 1(−1) = −1). From F, move 1.5 units G′
right and 1.5 units down to y = x. From that point,
move 1.5 units right and 1.5 units down to −2 4 x
locate F′(2, −1). F′
−2
— will also be −1. From G, move
The slope of GG′
0.5 unit right and 0.5 unit down to y = x. Then move
0.5 unit right and 0.5 unit down to locate G′(2, 1).

You can use coordinate rules to find the images of points reflected in four special lines.

Core Concept
Coordinate Rules for Reflections
• If (a, b) is reflected in the x-axis, then its image is the point (a, −b).
• If (a, b) is reflected in the y-axis, then its image is the point (−a, b).
• If (a, b) is reflected in the line y = x, then its image is the point (b, a).
• If (a, b) is reflected in the line y = −x, then its image is the point (−b, −a).

Reflecting in the Line y = −x

— from Example 2 and its image after a reflection in the line y = −x.
Graph FG

SOLUTION
Use the coordinate rule for reflecting in the line y
y = −x to find the coordinates of the endpoints
— and its image.
of the image. Then graph FG
F G
F′
(a, b) → (−b, −a)
2 x
F(−1, 2) → F′(−2, 1) G′ y = −x
−2
G(1, 2) → G′(−2, −1)

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The vertices of △JKL are J(1, 3), K(4, 4), and L(3, 1).

5. Graph △JKL and its image after a reflection in the x-axis.

6. Graph △JKL and its image after a reflection in the y-axis.
7. Graph △JKL and its image after a reflection in the line y = x.
8. Graph △JKL and its image after a reflection in the line y = −x.
—
9. In Example 3, verify that FF′ is perpendicular to y = −x.

Section 4.2 Reflections 183

 Performing Glide Reflections

Postulate
Postulate 4.2 Reflection Postulate
A reflection is a rigid motion.

m
E E′ Because a reflection is a rigid motion, and a rigid motion preserves length and angle
measure, the following statements are true for the reflection shown.
D F F′ D′
• DE = D′E′, EF = E′F′, FD = F′D′
• m∠D = m∠D′, m∠E = m∠E′, m∠F = m∠F′
Because a reflection is a rigid motion, the Composition Theorem (Theorem 4.1)
guarantees that any composition of reflections and translations is a rigid motion.

STUDY TIP A glide reflection is a transformation involving a

The line of reflection must translation followed by a reflection in which every Q′
P′ Q″
be parallel to the direction point P is mapped to a point P ″ by the following steps.
of the translation to be a P″
Step 1 First, a translation maps P to P′.
glide reflection.
Step 2 Then, a reflection in a line k parallel to the
direction of the translation maps P′ to P ″. P Q

Performing a Glide Reflection

Graph △ABC with vertices A(3, 2), B(6, 3), and C(7, 1) and its image after the
glide reflection.
Translation: (x, y) → (x − 12, y)
Reflection: in the x-axis

SOLUTION
Begin by graphing △ABC. Then graph △A′B′C′ after a translation 12 units left.
Finally, graph △A″B″C″ after a reflection in the x-axis.

B′(−6, 3) y B(6, 3)
2
A′(−9, 2) A(3, 2)
C′(−5, 1) C(7, 1)
−12 −10 −8 −6 −4 −2 2 4 6 8 x
C″(−5, −1)
−2
A″(−9, −2)
B″(−6, −3)

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10. WHAT IF? In Example 4, △ABC is translated 4 units down and then reflected in
the y-axis. Graph △ABC and its image after the glide reflection.
11. In Example 4, describe a glide reflection from △A″B″C ″ to △ABC.

184 Chapter 4 Transformations

 Identifying Lines of Symmetry
A figure in the plane has line symmetry when the figure can be mapped onto itself by
a reflection in a line. This line of reflection is a line of symmetry, such as line m at the
left. A figure can have more than one line of symmetry.

Identifying Lines of Symmetry

m
How many lines of symmetry does each hexagon have?

a. b. c.

SOLUTION
a. b. c.

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Determine the number of lines of symmetry for the figure.

12. 13. 14.

15. Draw a hexagon with no lines of symmetry.

Solving Real-Life Problems

Finding a Minimum Distance

You are going to buy books. Your friend

is going to buy CDs. Where should you
park to minimize the distance you
both will walk?
B A
m
SOLUTION
Reflect B in line m to obtain B′. Then
draw— — B A
AB′ . Label the intersection of AB′
and m as C. Because AB′ is the shortest C m
distance between A and B′ and BC = B′C, B′
park at point C to minimize the combined
distance, AC + BC, you both have to walk.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

16. Look back at Example 6. Answer the question by using a reflection of point A
instead of point B.

Section 4.2 Reflections 185

 4.2 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. VOCABULARY A glide reflection is a combination of which two transformations?

2. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which transformation does not belong with the other three? Explain
your reasoning.

y y y y
6
2 2 2
4
2 4 x −4 −2 x −4 −2 x
2
−2 −2

−2 2 x

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3–6, determine whether the coordinate 10. J(1, −1), K(3, 0), L(0, −4); x = 2
plane shows a reflection in the x-axis, y-axis, or neither.
11. J(2, 4), K(−4, −2), L(−1, 0); y = 1
3. 4.
y y
2 4 12. J(3, −5), K(4, −1), L(0, −3); y = −3
C
B In Exercises 13–16, graph the polygon and its image
−4 A B E D 4x
D after a reflection in the given line. (See Examples 2
−4 A 4x and 3.)
E
−4 −2
13. y = x 14. y = x
C F −4
F
−6
y y
4
2 C
5. 6. C B D
y C y
4 4 4 6 x
B
−2 4 x
2 2 −2
B −2
A
B A A C −4
A
−4 −2 E 2 4x D 4 F x
−2
D 15. y = −x 16. y = −x
F −4
E
y y
4 4
In Exercises 7–12, graph △JKL and its image after a
A A B
reflection in the given line. (See Example 1.) 2 2

7. J(2, −4), K(3, 7), L(6, −1); x-axis 2x −2 4 6x

D B −2
8. J(5, 3), K(1, −2), L(−3, 4); y-axis C C
−4 −4
9. J(2, −1), K(4, −5), L(3, 1); x = −1

186 Chapter 4 Transformations

In Exercises 17–20, graph △RST with vertices R(4, 1), 27. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS You park at some
S(7, 3), and T(6, 4) and its image after the glide point K on line n. You deliver a pizza to House H,
reflection. (See Example 4.) go back to your car, and deliver a pizza to House J.
Assuming that you can cut across both lawns, how
17. Translation: (x, y) → (x, y − 1)
can you determine the parking location K that
Reflection: in the y-axis minimizes the distance HK + KJ ? (See Example 6.)

18. Translation: (x, y) → (x − 3, y)

Reflection: in the line y = −1

19. Translation: (x, y) → (x, y + 4)

H J
Reflection: in the line x = 3
n
20. Translation: (x, y) → (x + 2, y + 2)
Reflection: in the line y = x
28. ATTENDING TO PRECISION Use the numbers and
In Exercises 21–24, determine the number of lines of symbols to create the glide reflection resulting in the
symmetry for the figure. (See Example 5.) image shown.
21. 22. y A″(5, 6)
6
C″(−1, 5)
4

2 B″(4, 2)
B(−1, 1)
A(3, 2)
−4 −2 2 4 6 8x

23. 24. −2

−4
C(2, −4)

Translation: (x, y) → ( , )
Reflection: in y = x

25. USING STRUCTURE Identify the line symmetry

(if any) of each word. 1 2 3
a. LOOK

b. MOM
x y + −
c. OX

d. DAD
In Exercises 29–32, find point C on the x-axis so
AC + BC is a minimum.
26. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in
describing the transformation. 29. A(1, 4), B(6, 1)

y
30. A(4, −5), B(12, 3)
A″ A′
2

B″ B′ 31. A(−8, 4), B(−1, 3)

−8 −6 −4 −2 2 4 6 8x
−2
A 32. A(−1, 7), B(5, −4)
B
33. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS The line y = 3x + 2
is reflected in the line y = −1. What is the equation of

✗ — to A″B″
AB — is a glide reflection. the image?

Section 4.2 Reflections 187

34. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? Use Figure A. 35. CONSTRUCTION Follow these steps to construct a
reflection of △ABC in line m. Use a compass
y and straightedge.
Step 1 Draw △ABC and line m. m

Step 2 Use one compass setting A

to find two points that are
equidistant from A on line
m. Use the same compass C
x setting to find a point on
B
Figure A the other side of m that is
the same distance from
y y these two points. Label
that point as A′.
Step 3 Repeat Step 2 to find points B′ and C′.
Draw △A′B′C′.

36. USING TOOLS Use a reflective device to verify your

construction in Exercise 35.
x x

Figure 1 Figure 2 37. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS Reflect △MNQ in

the line y = −2x.
y y
y
4
y = −2x M

Q
−5 1x
N
x x −3
Figure 3 Figure 4
a. Which figure is a reflection of Figure A in the
line x = a? Explain. 38. THOUGHT PROVOKING Is the composition of a
translation and a reflection commutative? (In other
b. Which figure is a reflection of Figure A in the words, do you obtain the same image regardless of
line y = b? Explain. the order in which you perform the transformations?)
c. Which figure is a reflection of Figure A in the Justify your answer.
line y = x? Explain.
d. Is there a figure that represents a glide reflection? 39. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS Point B′(1, 4) is the
Explain your reasoning. image of B(3, 2) after a reflection in line c. Write an
equation for line c.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Use the diagram to find the angle measure. (Section 1.5)

40. m∠AOC 41. m∠AOD
80 90 10 0
70 10 0 90 80 110 1
60 0 110 70 2 0
42. m∠BOE 43. m∠AOE 50 0 1
2 60 13
50 0
13
14 0
01 0

D
15 0 4
40

0 30
4

C
15

44. m∠COD 45. m∠EOD

180 170 1 20 3

0 1 20 10 0

E
60

60
170 180
0 10

46. m∠COE 47. m∠AOB

A O B
48. m∠COB 49. m∠BOD

188 Chapter 4 Transformations