11-Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning: Reflections

Understanding Reflections in Non-Verbal Reasoning In the context of 11-plus Non-Verbal Reasoning, reflections refer to the process of identifying shapes that ha...

Understanding Reflections in Non-Verbal Reasoning

In the context of 11-plus Non-Verbal Reasoning, reflections refer to the process of identifying shapes that have been mirrored across a specific line. This line can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, and understanding how to visualize these mirror images is crucial for success in this area.

What is Reflection?

Reflection is a transformation that creates a mirror image of a shape. When a shape is reflected, it appears flipped over the line of reflection, which can be thought of as a mirror. This means that the orientation of the shape changes, but its size and dimensions remain the same.

Types of Reflection

Horizontal Reflection: The shape is flipped over a horizontal line, resulting in a top-to-bottom reversal.
Vertical Reflection: The shape is flipped over a vertical line, leading to a left-to-right reversal.
Diagonal Reflection: The shape is flipped over a diagonal line, which can create more complex mirror images.

Identifying Reflected Shapes

To identify reflected shapes, students must practice visualizing how a shape would look after being flipped. This skill involves:

Recognizing the original shape and its features.
Understanding the position of the mirror line.
Visualizing the new orientation of the shape after reflection.

Practice Questions

Worked Example

Question: If a triangle is reflected over a vertical line, which of the following options shows the correct reflection?

Option A: A triangle pointing left
Option B: A triangle pointing right
Option C: A triangle pointing upwards

Solution:

The original triangle points to the right.
When reflected over a vertical line, it will point to the left.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option A.

Conclusion

Mastering reflections in Non-Verbal Reasoning is essential for 11-plus preparation. By practicing with various shapes and mirror lines, students can enhance their visual problem-solving skills and improve their performance in the exam.