Understand Reflections on a Coordinate Grid

In this activity, we will look at reflections on a coordinate grid.

 

A reflection is a transformation. 

 

For a shape to be reflected the two shapes are:

1)  the same size

2)  the same distance from the mirror line

3)  facing opposite directions ('flipped')

 

 

Let's look at a question!

 

Example

Reflect the shape below in the line x = 2 (shown with a red line).

 

 

Answer

We identify the mirror line first.

We can see it x = 2 in red.

Next, we count how many squares each corner is from the mirror line and plot the same distance on the other side.

Like this .......

 

 

Do this for all four corners and join together to form the reflection!

 

 

Have you got it? Let's try some questions.