In geometry, reflections are items which are mirror images of each other. To reflect an item on a graph, a mirror line or line of symmetry is drawn over which the image is "flipped" to a mirrored position. The second geometrical shape is the mirror image of the original. A mirror line or line of symmetry can be drawn in any direction, vertical or horizontal or diagonal. It does not have to
. correspond to any particular angle, as long as it accurately reflects the original shape. However, the most common lines of symmetry involve horizontal and vertical lines, as well as x = y and x = -y diagonal lines at the angles of 45 degrees and 135 degrees.Reflections are relatively simple to identify, because one half of the picture is exactly the same as the other half. Plane shapes in geometry may have a number of lines of symmetry. For example, a triangle may have three lines of symmetry if it is an equilateral triangle, or one line of symmetry if it is an isosceles triangle, or no line of symmetry if it is a scalene triangle without any equal sides. In a similar manner, an octagon can have eight lines of symmetry, but a pentagon has only one.Reflections are important outside of geometry in fields such as art and graphic design, because symmetry is a calming influence to human beings, who enjoy finding patterns in visual displays. The human body itself tends to have body reflection in many instances, with a line of symmetry drawn from the top of the head to the feet that divides the body into two almost perfectly equal halves. Many portions of the body are paired with a reflection that is a mirror image of the other, such as the eyes, ears, arms, and legs. More reference links: http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/symmetry-reflection.html http://www.gradeamathhelp.com/transformation-geometry.html
