Reflected Coordinates: (-5, 2) Reflected Over the Y-Axis
When working with coordinate geometry, it's essential to understand how to reflect points over the x-axis, y-axis, and even the origin. In this article, we'll explore how to reflect the point (-5, 2) over the y-axis.
What is Reflection?
In geometry, reflection means flipping a point or shape over a line, creating a mirror image. When we reflect a point over the y-axis, we're essentially creating a mirror image of the original point on the opposite side of the y-axis.
The Y-Axis Reflection Rule
To reflect a point over the y-axis, we can apply a simple rule:
- If the original point is (x, y), the reflected point will be (-x, y).
Applying the Rule to (-5, 2)
Let's apply the y-axis reflection rule to the point (-5, 2):
- Original point: (-5, 2)
- Reflected point: (-(-5), 2) = (5, 2)
The Result
The reflected point of (-5, 2) over the y-axis is (5, 2).
Visualizing the Reflection
To better understand the reflection, imagine a vertical line representing the y-axis. The original point (-5, 2) is on the left side of the y-axis, and the reflected point (5, 2) is on the right side of the y-axis, creating a mirror image.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reflecting the point (-5, 2) over the y-axis results in the point (5, 2). Understanding reflection is a fundamental concept in geometry and is used in various mathematical applications, including graphing, symmetry, and even computer graphics.