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Reflection in Y Axis in Coordinate Geometry

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What Is the Reflection in Y Axis Formula and Rule

Have you ever thought about how you would represent the reflection of a point in the y-axis? This is accomplished through the use of reflection in the y-axis concept. If you do not know about it, do not get worried, as this article covers all the concepts of reflection in the y-axis, and the graph xy = 1 is reflected in y = 2x using attractive images so that the children can easily grasp the topics. Let us now begin our learning.


What is the Reflection of a Point in the y-axis?

Reflection of a point in the y-axis states that the y-coordinate stays the same when a point is reflected across the y-axis, the x-coordinate is assumed to be the additive inverse of the given abscissa. For example, a point (x, y) is reflected across the y-axis as (-x, y).


Reflection of a point in the y-axis


Reflection of a point in the y-axis


A Point on the y-axis has Coordinates  

A point on the y-axis has coordinates in the form of ordered pairs having the form (0, k), where k is the point on the y-axis. Here, 0 specifies the distance between the abscissa and the origin. When x = 0, the value of the y-axis can be anything, irrespective of the value of the abscissa.


Rules to Find the Reflection in the y-axis

There is no hard rule to find the reflection in the y-axis; you just need to follow these two simple steps, which are given below:

  1. Keep the coordinates of the y-axis fixed 

  2. Reverse the sign of the x coordinate

The obtained value of the x coordinate and y coordinate is the reflection of a point on the y-axis.


Solved Examples

Q 1. Find the reflection of a point on the y-axis of the following:

  1. (3, 5)

  2. (3, -2)

Ans: For part 1, we need to follow the given steps:

  1. Read the coordinates (3, 5) and find out in which quadrant it lies, i.e. 1st quadrant

  2. Mark the values of x = 3 and y = 5 in the respective quadrants

  3. Highlight the point and write its coordinates

  4. To find its reflection, keep the ordinate same, i.e. 5, and take the additive inverse of the abscissa, i.e. -3

  5. Now, choose the quadrant for the new coordinates, i.e. (-3, 5)

  6. Place the values of x = -3 and y = 5 in the appropriate quadrant

  7. Highlight the point and write its coordinates


This is how you find the reflection of a point (3, 5) on the y-axis.


Reflection of a point in the y-axis


Reflection of a point in the y-axis


For part 2, we need to follow the given steps:

  1. Read the coordinates (3, -2) and find out in which quadrant it lies, i.e. 4th quadrant

  2. Mark the values of x = 3 and y = -2 in the respective quadrants

  3. Highlight the point and write its coordinates

  4. To find its reflection, keep the ordinate constant, i.e. -2, and take the additive inverse of the abscissa, i.e. -3

  5. Now, choose the quadrant for the new coordinate, i.e. (-3, -2)

  6. Mark the values of x = -3 and y = -2 in the appropriate quadrant

  7. Highlight the point and write its coordinates


This is how you find the reflection of a point (3, -2) on the y-axis.


Reflection on the y-axis


Reflection on the y-axis


A point on the y-axis of the following is 5 and -2, respectively, the same as the initial given problem.


Practice Problems 

Q 1. Locate the reflection on the y-axis of the point (5,6).

Ans. (-5, 6)


Q 2. Find the reflection of a point on the y-axis of the following:

(a) (2, -3)

(b) (-3, 7)

Ans. (a) (-2, -3)

(b) (3, 7)


Q 3. Find the reflection on the y-axis of the points:  

(a) (4, 5)

(b) (-1, -2)

Ans. (a) (-4, 5)

(b) (1, -2)


Summary

Summing up here with the concept of reflection in the y-axis. This writing describes all the topics, including rules to find the reflection, graph xy = 1 is reflected in y = 2x, a point on the y-axis has a coordinate, etc. Here we have discussed in depth how to solve the problem based on the reflection of a point in the y-axis. Some practice problems are assigned to the students along with their answers so that they can do more practice and gain proficiency in the concept.

FAQs on Reflection in Y Axis in Coordinate Geometry

1. What is reflection in the y-axis?

Reflection in the y-axis is a transformation that changes the sign of the x-coordinate while keeping the y-coordinate the same. In coordinate geometry, this means any point (x, y) becomes (−x, y) after reflection. It creates a mirror image of the figure across the vertical y-axis without changing its size or shape.

2. What is the rule for reflection in the y-axis?

The rule for reflection in the y-axis is (x, y) → (−x, y). This means:

  • The x-coordinate changes sign.
  • The y-coordinate remains the same.

This rule applies to all points, shapes, graphs, and functions reflected across the y-axis in coordinate geometry.

3. How do you reflect a point across the y-axis?

To reflect a point across the y-axis, change the sign of its x-coordinate and keep the y-coordinate unchanged. Follow these steps:

  • Start with the original point, for example (4, −2).
  • Change the x-value to its opposite: −4.
  • Keep the y-value the same: −2.

So, the reflected point is (−4, −2).

4. What happens to a graph when it is reflected in the y-axis?

When a graph is reflected in the y-axis, every point (x, y) on the graph becomes (−x, y), creating a mirror image across the y-axis. For functions:

  • If the original function is y = f(x),
  • The reflected function becomes y = f(−x).

This transformation flips the graph horizontally while preserving its shape and size.

5. What is the formula for reflecting a function in the y-axis?

The formula for reflecting a function in the y-axis is y = f(−x). This means:

  • Replace every x in the function with −x.
  • The graph will flip horizontally across the y-axis.

For example, if f(x) = x² + 3x, the reflected function is f(−x) = x² − 3x.

6. What is the difference between reflection in the x-axis and reflection in the y-axis?

The difference is that reflection in the x-axis changes the y-coordinate, while reflection in the y-axis changes the x-coordinate.

  • X-axis reflection: (x, y) → (x, −y)
  • Y-axis reflection: (x, y) → (−x, y)

In simple terms, x-axis reflection flips vertically, and y-axis reflection flips horizontally.

7. Can you give an example of reflection in the y-axis?

Yes, for example, the point (3, 5) reflected in the y-axis becomes (−3, 5). Applying the rule:

  • Original point: (3, 5)
  • Change x to −3
  • Keep y as 5

Final reflected point: (−3, 5).

8. Does reflection in the y-axis change the shape or size of a figure?

No, reflection in the y-axis does not change the shape or size of a figure because it is a rigid transformation. It preserves:

  • Lengths
  • Angles
  • Area

Only the orientation changes, producing a mirror image across the y-axis.

9. How do you reflect a line in the y-axis?

To reflect a line in the y-axis, replace x with −x in its equation. For example:

  • Original line: y = 2x + 1
  • Replace x with −x: y = 2(−x) + 1
  • Simplify: y = −2x + 1

The new equation represents the line reflected across the y-axis.

10. Why does the x-coordinate change sign during reflection in the y-axis?

The x-coordinate changes sign because reflection in the y-axis places each point the same distance on the opposite side of the y-axis. Since distance from the y-axis is measured horizontally:

  • Points to the right (positive x) move to the left (negative x).
  • Points to the left (negative x) move to the right (positive x).

Thus, (x, y) becomes (−x, y), maintaining equal horizontal distance from the y-axis.