Reflection Across the Coordinate Plane

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 143 views

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Introduction

In geometry, a line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct points. When reflecting a line segment across a line or a point, the resulting image is a mirror image of the original line segment. In this article, we will explore the concept of reflecting a line segment across the coordinate plane and determine which reflection will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$.

Reflection Across the Coordinate Plane

The coordinate plane is a two-dimensional plane that consists of the x-axis and the y-axis. When reflecting a point or a line segment across the coordinate plane, we need to consider the x-axis and the y-axis separately.

Reflection Across the x-axis

When reflecting a point or a line segment across the x-axis, the x-coordinate remains the same, and the y-coordinate is negated. This means that the point or the line segment is reflected across the x-axis, and the resulting image is a mirror image of the original point or line segment.

Reflection Across the y-axis

When reflecting a point or a line segment across the y-axis, the y-coordinate remains the same, and the x-coordinate is negated. This means that the point or the line segment is reflected across the y-axis, and the resulting image is a mirror image of the original point or line segment.

Reflection of a Line Segment Across the Coordinate Plane

When reflecting a line segment across the coordinate plane, we need to consider the x-axis and the y-axis separately. If the line segment is reflected across the x-axis, the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. If the line segment is reflected across the y-axis, the x-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated.

Example: Reflection of a Line Segment Across the Coordinate Plane

Let's consider a line segment with endpoints at ${$ (3,2)$}$ and ${$ (2,-3)$}$. We want to find the reflection of this line segment across the coordinate plane that will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$.

Reflection Across the x-axis

If we reflect the line segment across the x-axis, the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. The new endpoints will be ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$. However, the x-coordinate of the second endpoint is not negated, which means that this is not the correct reflection.

Reflection Across the y-axis

If we reflect the line segment across the y-axis, the x-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. The new endpoints will be ${$ (-3,2)$}$ and ${$ (-2,-3)$}$. However, the y-coordinate of the first endpoint is not negated, which means that this is not the correct reflection.

Reflection Across the Origin

If we reflect the line segment across the origin, both the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. The new endpoints will be ${$ (-3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (-2,3)$}$. However, the x-coordinate of the first endpoint is not negated, which means that this is not the correct reflection.

Reflection Across the Line y = x

If we reflect the line segment across the line y = x, the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be swapped. The new endpoints will be ${$ (2,3)$}$ and ${$ (3,-2)$}$. This is the correct reflection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane that will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$ is a reflection across the line y = x. This means that the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be swapped, resulting in the new endpoints ${$ (2,3)$}$ and ${$ (3,-2)$}$.

References

[1] Geometry, by Michael Spivak
[2] Reflections, by Math Open Reference

Discussion

This article has discussed the concept of reflecting a line segment across the coordinate plane and determined which reflection will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$. The reflection across the line y = x is the correct reflection. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask.

Reflection of a Point Across the Coordinate Plane
Reflection of a Line Across the Coordinate Plane
Reflection of a Triangle Across the Coordinate Plane

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the concept of reflecting a line segment across the coordinate plane and determined which reflection will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane.

Q&A

Q: What is the reflection of a line segment across the x-axis?

A: When reflecting a line segment across the x-axis, the x-coordinates of the endpoints remain the same, and the y-coordinates are negated.

Q: What is the reflection of a line segment across the y-axis?

A: When reflecting a line segment across the y-axis, the y-coordinates of the endpoints remain the same, and the x-coordinates are negated.

Q: How do I find the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane?

A: To find the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane, you need to consider the x-axis and the y-axis separately. If the line segment is reflected across the x-axis, the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. If the line segment is reflected across the y-axis, the x-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated.

Q: What is the reflection of a line segment across the line y = x?

A: When reflecting a line segment across the line y = x, the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints are swapped.

Q: Can a line segment be reflected across the origin?

A: Yes, a line segment can be reflected across the origin. When reflecting a line segment across the origin, both the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints are negated.

Q: How do I determine which reflection will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$?

A: To determine which reflection will produce an image with endpoints at ${$ (3,-2)$}$ and ${$ (2,3)$}$, you need to consider the x-axis and the y-axis separately. If the line segment is reflected across the x-axis, the y-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. If the line segment is reflected across the y-axis, the x-coordinates of the endpoints will be negated. If the line segment is reflected across the line y = x, the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints are swapped.

Q: Can a line segment be reflected across a line other than the x-axis, y-axis, or line y = x?

A: Yes, a line segment can be reflected across a line other than the x-axis, y-axis, or line y = x. However, the reflection will depend on the specific line and the orientation of the line segment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane is a fundamental concept in geometry. By understanding the different types of reflections, you can determine which reflection will produce an image with specific endpoints. We hope that this article has helped to clarify any questions you may have had about the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane.

References

[1] Geometry, by Michael Spivak
[2] Reflections, by Math Open Reference

Discussion

This article has answered some frequently asked questions related to the reflection of a line segment across the coordinate plane. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to ask.

Reflection of a Point Across the Coordinate Plane
Reflection of a Line Across the Coordinate Plane
Reflection of a Triangle Across the Coordinate Plane