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Composition of Reflections in math

Interactive demonstration

Overview

A composition of tramsformations involves 2 or more transformations applied to one shape or point. So, we do a transformation to get the 1st image, then we apply a 2nd transformation to that image to arrive at the final shape. It's much easier to understand with examples and demonstrations like on this page.

Composition of Reflections Demonstration

In this case, we 1st reflect the point over the line x-axis and then over the y-axis

In our demonstrations, we perform the right most reflection (x-axis) then the left one (y-axis). There is no correct way here so you have to check with your teacher to see if they go rigt to left, as we do; or left to right.

Composition of Reflections Demonstration
Composition of Transformations Demonstration

In this case, we 1st reflect the point over the line $$ y=x $$ and then over the x-axis

Composition of Reflections Demonstration
Composition of Reflections Demonstration

In this case, we 1st reflect the point over the line $$y=x$$ and then over the x-axis

Composition of Reflections Demonstration

Practice Problems

Perform a composition of reflection by first reflecting the point across the x-axis and then reflecting this image over the line y = x + 1.

rx-axis• ry=x+1(Right to left notation)

Back to Transformations Next to Point Reflections