Definition:Reflection (Geometry)/Plane

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Definition

A reflection $\phi_{AB}$ in the plane is an isometry on the Euclidean Space $\Gamma = \R^2$ as follows.


Let $AB$ be a distinguished straight line in $\Gamma$, which has the property that:

$\forall P \in AB: \map {\phi_{AB} } P = P$

That is, every point on $AB$ maps to itself.


Let $P \in \Gamma$ such that $P \notin AB$.

Let a straight line be constructed from $P$ to $O$ on $AB$ such that $OP$ is perpendicular to $AB$.

Let $PO$ be produced to $P'$ such that $OP = OP'$.


Reflection-in-Plane.png


Then:

$\map {\phi_{AB} } P = P'$

Thus $\phi_{AB}$ is a reflection (in the plane) in (the axis of reflection) $AB$.


Axis of Reflection

Let $\phi_{AB}$ be a reflection in the plane in the straight line $AB$.

Then $AB$ is known as the axis (of reflection).


Also see

  • Results about geometric reflections can be found here.


Sources