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      Introduction to reflections

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can understand the nature of reflections and appreciate what changes and what is invariant

      Key learning points

      1. The length of the lines do not change when reflected.
      2. The angles inside an object do not change when reflected.
      3. When an object is reflected, its image is congruent.

      Keywords

      • Reflection - A reflection of a shape is the mirror image of the shape. An object is reflected when it is flipped over a fixed line.

      • Sense - The sense of an object is the direction of the orientation of the object.

      Common misconception

      Just because the sense has changed, it doesn't mean a reflection has occurred.

      If an image has a different sense to its object, there has definitely been a reflection - the line of reflection may be at an obscure angle.

      Teacher tip

      To keep consistent with all Oak objects and images, green and purple are used. Students may question whether the sense has changed if the colour of the image is different - this is not the case; focus on only the shape and any words inside the shape.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      When a vertex is labelled M$$^{\prime}$$, it means the __________ of M.

      object
      sense
      centre of rotation
      Correct answer: image
      line of reflection

      Q2.
      Which point on the image is corresponding to vertex A on the object?

      An image in a quiz
      b
      Correct answer: c
      d

      Q3.
      A transformation is a process that may change the size, orientation, or __________ of a shape.

      Correct Answer: position, location

      Q4.
      In which of these images is the orientation invariant when compared to its object?

      An image in a quiz
      image 1
      image 2
      Correct answer: image 3
      image 4

      Q5.
      In which of these images has the direction of the orientation reversed when compared to its object - where the direction of ABCD on the object is clockwise?

      An image in a quiz
      image 1
      Correct answer: image 2
      image 3
      image 4

      Q6.
      Which property may not be invariant when an object is rotated?

      length of a side
      size of an angle
      Correct answer: position
      Correct answer: orientation
      sense

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these sentences uses the word "sense" correctly?

      Correct answer: The sense of a word stays the same after translation because I can still read it
      The sense of a word changes after rotation because it is harder to read
      Correct answer: The sense of a word changes if its letters look they've been written backwards
      The sense of a word stays the same after reflection because I can figure it out

      Q2.
      In which of these images has the sense changed compared to the object?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: image 1
      image 2
      image 3
      Correct answer: image 4
      image 5

      Q3.
      Which of these transformations change sense?

      translation
      rotation
      Correct answer: reflection
      enlargement

      Q4.
      Complete this sentence: "When an object is reflected, the lengths of its sides are invariant. This means the lengths of the sides remain _______ ."

      Correct Answer: the same, same, exactly the same, The same, unchanged

      Q5.
      Which of these diagrams shows a reflection?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q6.
      Which of these images is a reflection of its object?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: image 1
      Correct answer: image 2
      image 3
      image 4

      To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Introduction to reflections, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...