The mirror image of an object.
In math, a reflection is a transformation that flips a shape over a line to create a mirror image. This line is called the line of reflection, and every point on the original shape is the same distance from this line as its reflected point—just on the opposite side.
Imagine folding a piece of paper in half and drawing a shape on one side. When you press down, the shape transfers to the other side in reverse—that’s a reflection!
Reflections are one of the key transformations in geometry and help us understand symmetry and spatial reasoning. We use reflections to:
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Explore symmetry in shapes
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Create patterns and designs
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Understand how shapes move and change
When Do Students Learn About Reflections?
Students begin learning about reflections as part of their study of geometry and transformations.
Grades 3–5 – Exploring Symmetry and Basic Reflections
Students are introduced to lines of symmetry and begin exploring reflections with shapes and figures.
Grades 6+ – Working with Reflections in Coordinate Geometry
Students reflect shapes across axes on the coordinate plane and analyze properties of reflected figures.
