Reflection of a point in a line

The matrix for a reflection in a line making an anticlockwise angle with the
positive x-axis is
cos 2 sin 2

sin 2 cos 2
Example 1 Find the coordinates of the image point when (2, 3) is reflected
in the line y = x
y
5
Remember this angle is
4 The angle = 135 measured a/clockwise from
3
the positive x-axis
2 is 2 x 135 = 270
2

1
x
Required matrix is

cos 270 sin 270
-1

-2
sin 270 cos 270
-3

0 1

-4

-5
1 0
 x' 0 1 2
y
y ' 1 0 3
5

4
Expanding, we get
3
x = 3
2
y = 2
1
x
Conclusion.

-1
(2, 3) transforms to
(3, 2 ) when reflected in -2 (3, 2) image
the line y = 2 x
-3 (2, 3) original
-4

-5
 Reflection of a function in a line

Example 2 Find the equation of the image when the straight line 2x 3y = 6
is reflected in the y-axis .

Solution Let (x, y) be any point on 2x 3y = 6 and (x, y) its image under a
reflection in the y-axis. Note for the y-axis, is 90 so 2 = 180
x' cos180 sin 180 x

y ' sin 180 cos180 y
x' 1 0 x


y ' 0 1 y
The inverse of this matrix is the same (This applies to ALL reflections)

x 1 0 x'


y 0 1 y'
Expand to make x, y the subjects

x = x
y = y

Substituting into the original 2x 3y = 6 we obtain

2x 3y = 6

Dropping superscripts and cleaning up,

2x + 3y = 6

Conclusion.

When the line 2x 3y = 6 is reflected in the y-axis, its image

is the line 2x + 3y = 6 See diagram
 y
5

1
x

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5