Reflecting objects

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can reflect objects using a range of lines of reflection

Key learning points

The line of reflection may go through part of the object.
The line of reflection may not touch the object.
Tracing paper can be a useful tool for performing reflections.

Keywords

Line of reflection - The line of reflection is the line about which an object is reflected. The object and image are equidistant from the line of reflection.

Common misconception

Diagonal reflections that incorrectly look like rotations or translations of the object.

False reflections that look like this are due to students not counting diagonals of grid squares, perpendicular to the mirror line.

Teacher tip

The first learning cycle's "I do, you do", perform each handful of steps (split up by slide) completely before asking the students to copy the steps for their example. Student example is simply to allow students to copy the diagram down if suitable.

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).

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The is equidistant from corresponding points on the object and its reflected image.

Correct Answer: line of reflection, reflection line, mirror line

Q2.
Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

(6, 0)

Correct answer: (2, 6)

Correct answer: (7, 6)

(12, 8)

(12, 4)

Q3.
Complete this sentence for the following description of a reflection: "A __________ reflection with line of reflection passing through the coordinates (9, 0) and (9, 30)"

Correct answer: horizontal

vertical

diagonal

Q4.
Which of these coordinates lies on the line of reflection for this example?

Correct answer: (10, 4)

(6, 2)

(14, 2)

Correct answer: (10, 2)

(7, 7)

Q5.
Which of these statements are valid for describing this reflection?

a horizontal reflection

Correct answer: a vertical reflection

with a line of reflection through the points (3, 3) and (3, 11)

with a line of reflection through the points (4, 1) and (4, 13)

Correct answer: with a line of reflection through the points (3, 7) and (6, 7)

Q6.
Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

(6, 2)

Correct answer: (9, 5)

(12, 8)

Correct answer: (7, 7)

Correct answer: (6, 8)

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these properties change when an object is reflected?

lengths of sides

size of angles

Correct answer: orientation

Correct answer: position

Correct answer: sense

Q2.
Which of these things must you draw onto the tracing paper when reflecting using tracing paper?

Correct answer: the object

the $$x$$-axis or $$y$$-axis

Correct answer: the line of reflection

an extra × marked on the object

Correct answer: an extra × marked on the line of reflection

Q3.
Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex A in the line of reflection drawn.

Correct Answer: (16, 7), (16,7), 16,7

Q4.
Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex B in the line of reflection drawn.

Correct Answer: (12, 9), (12,9)

Q5.
This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (10, 0) and (10, 5). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex C in the line of reflection.

Correct Answer: (18, 6), (18,6), 18,6

Q6.
This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (0, 8) and (5, 3). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex D in the line of reflection.

Correct Answer: (7, 6), (7,6), 7,6

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

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Reflecting objects

Lesson slides

Lesson details

Learning outcome

Key learning points

Keywords

Common misconception

Teacher tip

Licence

Lesson video

Worksheet

Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.The is equidistant from corresponding points on the object and its reflected image.

Q2.Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

Q3.Complete this sentence for the following description of a reflection: "A __________ reflection with line of reflection passing through the coordinates (9, 0) and (9, 30)"

Q4.Which of these coordinates lies on the line of reflection for this example?

Q5.Which of these statements are valid for describing this reflection?

Q6.Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

Assessment exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.Which of these properties change when an object is reflected?

Q2.Which of these things must you draw onto the tracing paper when reflecting using tracing paper?

Q3.Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex A in the line of reflection drawn.

Q4.Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex B in the line of reflection drawn.

Q5.This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (10, 0) and (10, 5). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex C in the line of reflection.

Q6.This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (0, 8) and (5, 3). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex D in the line of reflection.

How to plan a lesson using our resources

Q1.
The is equidistant from corresponding points on the object and its reflected image.

Q2.
Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

Q3.
Complete this sentence for the following description of a reflection: "A __________ reflection with line of reflection passing through the coordinates (9, 0) and (9, 30)"

Q4.
Which of these coordinates lies on the line of reflection for this example?

Q5.
Which of these statements are valid for describing this reflection?

Q6.
Which of these coordinates is suitable for defining the location of the line of reflection for this reflection?

Q1.
Which of these properties change when an object is reflected?

Q2.
Which of these things must you draw onto the tracing paper when reflecting using tracing paper?

Q3.
Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex A in the line of reflection drawn.

Q4.
Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex B in the line of reflection drawn.

Q5.
This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (10, 0) and (10, 5). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex C in the line of reflection.

Q6.
This object is reflected in a line passing through the coordinates (0, 8) and (5, 3). Write down the coordinates for the reflection of vertex D in the line of reflection.