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Maths · Transformations and constructions

Reflection and rotation

Reflect shapes in mirror lines and rotate them about a centre, and describe reflections and rotations fully.

  • 6 key terms
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Teacher resources

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Student handouts

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Warm-up

Answer each one, then check.

  1. 1

    What are the coordinates of the origin?

    Show answerHide answer

    \((0, 0)\)

  2. 2

    What is the equation of the y-axis?

    Show answerHide answer

    \(x = 0\)

  3. 3

    What is the equation of the x-axis?

    Show answerHide answer

    \(y = 0\)

  4. 4

    How many degrees in a half turn?

    Show answerHide answer

    180

  5. 5

    What is the reflection of \((2, 3)\) in the y-axis?

    Show answerHide answer

    \((-2, 3)\)

Learning Objectives

  1. 1Reflect a shape in a mirror line, including \(y = x\).
  2. 2Rotate a shape about a centre through 90° or 180°.
  3. 3Describe a reflection fully.
  4. 4Describe a rotation fully.

Congruent Transformations

  • Object and image

    The original shape is the object; the shape after the transformation is the image.

  • Congruent

    Reflection and rotation keep the size and shape the same, so the image is congruent to the object.

  • Orientation

    A reflection flips the shape; a rotation turns it.

  • Describe fully

    Name the transformation and give all the details needed.

Reflection or Rotation?

Reflection

  • Flips the shape over a mirror line.
  • Each point and its image are the same distance from the line, on opposite sides.
  • Describe with the equation of the mirror line, e.g. \(x = 4\), \(y = x\).

Rotation

  • Turns the shape about a fixed point, the centre.
  • Each point and its image are the same distance from the centre.
  • Describe with the angle, the direction (clockwise or anticlockwise) and the centre.

Reflecting in a Line

Triangle A has vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\). Reflect it in the line \(x = 4\).

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Each point is 3, 3 and 1 away from the line \(x = 4\) horizontally \((1, 1)\) is 3 to the left
  2. 2 Go the same distance to the right of the line \((7, 1)\)
  3. 3 Do the same for the other vertices \((1, 3) \to (7, 3)\) and \((3, 1) \to (5, 1)\)

AnswerThe image has vertices \((7, 1)\), \((7, 3)\) and \((5, 1)\).

Rotating About the Origin

Rotate triangle A, with vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\), through \(90^\circ\) clockwise about the origin.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Rule for \(90^\circ\) clockwise about the origin \((x, y) \to (y, -x)\)
  2. 2 Apply it \((1, 1) \to (1, -1)\)
  3. 3 The other vertices \((1, 3) \to (3, -1)\) and \((3, 1) \to (1, -3)\)

AnswerThe image has vertices \((1, -1)\), \((3, -1)\) and \((1, -3)\).

Describing a Rotation

Triangle A has vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\). Triangle B has vertices \((-1, -1)\), \((-1, -3)\) and \((-3, -1)\). Describe fully the single transformation that maps A onto B.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 The shape has turned upside down A half turn
  2. 2 Each x and y has changed sign Centre at the origin
  3. 3 Name the transformation with the three details Rotation, \(180^\circ\), centre \((0, 0)\)

AnswerA rotation of \(180^\circ\) about the centre \((0, 0)\).

Quick Rules About the Origin

Handy for checking your answers.

  • Reflection in the y-axis

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((-x, y)\)

  • Reflection in the x-axis

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((x, -y)\)

  • Reflection in \(y = x\)

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((y, x)\)

  • Rotation \(90^\circ\) clockwise

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((y, -x)\)

  • Rotation \(90^\circ\) anticlockwise

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((-y, x)\)

  • Rotation \(180^\circ\)

    Rule for \((x, y)\): \((-x, -y)\)

Transformation Detective

Triangle A has vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\). Work out the vertices of its image under (a) reflection in the x-axis (b) reflection in \(y = x\) (c) rotation \(90^\circ\) anticlockwise about the origin. Then say which of the three images touches the original at a point.

1. Apply the rule.

2. Plot the image.

3. Check distances from the mirror line.

A good answer shows: (a) \((1, -1)\), \((1, -3)\), \((3, -1)\). (b) \((1, 1)\), \((3, 1)\), \((1, 3)\), which is the same triangle. (c) \((-1, 1)\), \((-3, 1)\), \((-1, 3)\). Image (b) coincides with A because A is symmetrical about \(y = x\).

Can I...?

  1. 1Reflect in the axes.
  2. 2Reflect in a line such as \(x = 4\).
  3. 3Reflect in \(y = x\).
  4. 4Rotate about the origin.
  5. 5Rotate about another point.
  6. 6Describe a reflection fully.
  7. 7Describe a rotation fully.
  8. 8Use the rules for coordinates.

Summary & Exam Focus

  • Reflection: name it and give the mirror line equation.
  • Rotation: give the angle, the direction and the centre.
  • Distances from the mirror line or the centre are preserved.
  • Rotations and reflections keep the shape congruent.

Exam focus

Describe fully the single transformation that maps triangle P onto triangle Q, where the vertices of P are \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\), \((3, 1)\) and the vertices of Q are \((7, 1)\), \((7, 3)\), \((5, 1)\). (3 marks) (3 marks)

A full description needs the name of the transformation and all its details: for a reflection, the equation of the mirror line.

Key terms

The vocabulary this lesson expects you to use. Each one is linked from the first place it appears above.

Object
The original shape before a transformation.
Image
The shape after a transformation.
Congruent
The same shape and size, possibly turned or flipped.
Mirror line
The line a shape is reflected in.
Centre of rotation
The fixed point a shape turns about.
Clockwise
The direction the hands of a clock move.

Questions and answers

12 questions set on this lesson, with the mark schemes and model answers open.

1. Exam question Non-calculator 2 marks Easier

Triangle A has vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\). It is reflected in the y-axis. Write down the coordinates of the vertices of the image.

Mark scheme — 2 marks available

  • Two vertices correct — B1
  • All three correct — B1

Model answer

\((-1, 1)\), \((-1, 3)\) and \((-3, 1)\).

2. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

Triangle A has vertices \((1, 1)\), \((1, 3)\) and \((3, 1)\). Triangle B has vertices \((-1, -1)\), \((-1, -3)\) and \((-3, -1)\). Describe fully the single transformation that maps triangle A onto triangle B.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Rotation — B1
  • \(180^\circ\) — B1
  • Centre \((0, 0)\) — B1

Model answer

A rotation of \(180^\circ\) about the centre \((0, 0)\).

3. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

The diagram shows triangles P and Q on a grid. Describe fully the single transformation that maps triangle P onto triangle Q.

Triangles P and Q on a grid; Q is the mirror image of P in the vertical line x = 4.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Reflection — B1
  • The line \(x = 4\) — B2

Model answer

A reflection in the line \(x = 4\).

4. Exam question Non-calculator 2 marks Easier

The point \((2, 5)\) is reflected in the line \(y = x\). Write down the coordinates of the image.

Mark scheme — 2 marks available

  • One coordinate correct — M1
  • \((5, 2)\) — A1

Model answer

\((5, 2)\).

5. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

The point \(P(3, 1)\) is rotated \(90^\circ\) anticlockwise about the origin. Write down the coordinates of the image of P.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • A correct rotation method — M1
  • One coordinate correct — A1
  • \((-1, 3)\) — A1

Model answer

The rule is \((x, y) \to (-y, x)\), so the image is \((-1, 3)\).

6. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

The point \(P(4, 2)\) is rotated \(90^\circ\) clockwise about the point \(C(2, 1)\). Find the coordinates of the image of P.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Vector from C to P is \((2, 1)\) — M1
  • Rotated vector \((1, -2)\) — M1
  • \((3, -1)\) — A1

Model answer

P is 2 to the right and 1 above C. After a \(90^\circ\) clockwise turn, the vector \((2, 1)\) becomes \((1, -2)\). The image is \((2 + 1, 1 - 2) = (3, -1)\).

7. Multiple choice 1 mark Easier

What is the reflection of \((3, 4)\) in the x-axis?

  1. A \((-3, 4)\)
  2. B \((3, -4)\) Correct
  3. C \((-3, -4)\)
  4. D \((4, 3)\)

Why: The x-coordinate stays and the y-coordinate changes sign.

8. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

What is the reflection of \((3, 4)\) in the line \(y = x\)?

  1. A \((-3, 4)\)
  2. B \((3, -4)\)
  3. C \((-4, -3)\)
  4. D \((4, 3)\) Correct

Why: The coordinates swap: \((4, 3)\).

9. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

To describe a rotation fully you must give...

  1. A The mirror line
  2. B The scale factor
  3. C The angle, direction and centre Correct
  4. D The distance moved

Why: The angle, the direction and the centre of rotation.

10. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

What is the image of \((2, 3)\) after a rotation of \(180^\circ\) about the origin?

  1. A \((-2, -3)\) Correct
  2. B \((2, -3)\)
  3. C \((-2, 3)\)
  4. D \((3, 2)\)

Why: Both signs change: \((-2, -3)\).

11. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Which is NOT the same size as the original shape?

  1. A A reflection
  2. B A rotation
  3. C A translation
  4. D An enlargement Correct

Why: Reflections and rotations keep the shape congruent, but an enlargement changes the size.

12. Multiple choice 1 mark Stretch

A shape is reflected in \(x = 4\). A point at \(x = 1\) goes to...

  1. A \(x = 3\)
  2. B \(x = 7\) Correct
  3. C \(x = 5\)
  4. D \(x = 4\)

Why: It is 3 to the left of the line, so the image is 3 to the right: \(x = 7\).