In geometry, reflection is a type of transformation that produces a mirror image of a geometric figure across a specific line, known as the line of reflection. This line acts as a "mirror" where each point of the original figure is flipped to a corresponding point on the opposite side of the line, maintaining the same distance from the line.
Key characteristics of reflection include:
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Line of Reflection: The line (often referred to as the axis of reflection) defines the need for symmetry. Any point on the line remains unchanged after the reflection.
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Symmetry: The original figure and its reflection are symmetrical with respect to the line of reflection; they are congruent but oriented in opposite directions.
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Distance: The distance from each point of the original figure to the line of reflection is equal to the distance from the corresponding point of the reflected figure to the line.
In two-dimensional geometry, reflections can be visualized clearly on a Cartesian plane, where the line of reflection may be horizontal, vertical, or at any arbitrary angle. In three-dimensional geometry, reflections can occur across planes, which act as the mirror surfaces.