Mirror/Water Image

🪞 Mirror Image – Definition

A Mirror Image is the left-right reflection of an object or figure as seen in a vertical mirror placed beside it (usually on the left or right side).

✍️ Example:

• The mirror image of the letter R looks like a reversed R facing the other direction.

• The word "RAM" in a mirror would appear as "MAR".

🧠 Key Point:

• Left becomes right, and right becomes left.

• No change in top or bottom.

💧 Water Image – Definition

A Water Image is the top-bottom reflection of an object as seen in still water placed below the object (like a horizontal mirror at the bottom).

✍️ Example:

• The water image of the letter M looks like W (inverted).

• A triangle 🔼 in water looks like 🔽.

🧠 Key Point:

• Top becomes bottom, and bottom becomes top.

• Left and right remain unchanged.

Core Concepts with Examples

🪞A. Mirror Image Rules

Object	Mirror Image (Vertical)	Mirror Image (Horizontal)
P	q (lateral inversion)	d (top-bottom flip)
3	Ɛ	Ɛ (no change)
◁	▷	▽

Diagram:

Original: P  
Mirror (Vertical): q  
Mirror (Horizontal): d

💧B. Water Image Rules

Object	Water Image
B	ᗺ
8	8 (unchanged)
∧	∨

Diagram:

Original: ∧  
Water Image: ∨

🔑 Step-by-Step Solving Methods

Method 1: Alphabet Mirroring

1. Identify vertical/horizontal mirror line

2. For letters:

   • Vertical: A→A, H→H (symmetrical), P→q

   • Horizontal: B→ᗺ, M→W

Example:
Find mirror image of "MIRROR" (vertical):
Solution: "ЯOЯЯIM" (each letter inverted)

Method 2: Clock Time Mirroring

• Formula: Mirror Time = 11:60 - Actual Time

• Example: Actual time = 3:25 → Mirror time = 8:35

Method 3: Figure Symmetry

1. Draw the mirror line

2. Swap sides while keeping top/bottom fixed (for vertical mirror)

Example:

Original: ◢  
Mirror (Vertical): ◣

📘 Practice Questions with Diagrams

Q1: Mirror Image (Vertical)

Problem: What is the mirror image of ⏴?
Options:
A) ⏵
B) ⏶
C) ⏷
Answer: A) ⏵ (left-right swap)

Q2: Water Image

Problem: What is the water image of T?
Options:
A) ⊥
B) T
C) ┴
Answer: C) ┴ (upside-down)

Q3: Clock Mirroring

Problem: If a mirror shows 2:40, what's the actual time?
Solution:
11:60 - 2:40 = 9:20

Q4: Combined Reflection

Problem: What is the water image of the mirror image of E?
Answer:

1. Mirror image (vertical): Ǝ

2. Water image of Ǝ: Ǝ (no change)

Q5: Word Reflection

Problem: Mirror image of "NOON" (vertical)?
Answer: "ИOOИ" (N→И, O unchanged)

🧩 Advanced Concepts

A. Multiple Reflections

• Mirror + Water Image: Apply both transformations sequentially

• Example: Original: ◁ → Mirror: ▷ → Water: △

B. Embedded Figures

• Find mirror/water images within complex shapes

• Example:

  Original: |◡|  
  Water Image: |◠|

🧠 Pro Tips for Exams

1. Symmetrical Letters: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y → Some stay same in mirror

2. Digital vs Analog Clocks: Digital numbers invert differently (e.g., 1 becomes 1 but 2 becomes ↊)

3. Fast Drawing: Sketch a quick mirror line to verify answers

🔧 Common Mistakes

• Confusing water (top-bottom) and mirror (left-right) images

• Forgetting that some characters (e.g., 8, O) remain identical

• Missing subtle asymmetries in letters (e.g., G vs mirrored G)

✅ Practice Questions - Mirror/Water Image

Q1: Mirror Image (Vertical)

Problem: What is the vertical mirror image of the following figure?

  /\
 /  \
/____\

Options:
A)

  /\
 /  \
/____\

B)

  /\
 /  \
\____/

C)

  /\
 /  \
\____/

Answer: B
Explanation: The right side becomes the left side in a vertical mirror.

---

Q2: Water Image

Problem: What is the water image of this figure?

  ▲
 / \
/___\

Options:
A)

  ▼
 / \
\___/

B)

  ▲
 / \
/___\

C)

  ▼
 \ /
 /_\

Answer: A
Explanation: The water image flips the figure upside down.

---

Q3: Clock Mirroring

Problem: If a mirror shows the time as 3:45, what is the actual time?

Mirror: | (3) |----| (45)

Answer: 8:15
Explanation: Use the formula: Actual Time = 11:60 - Mirror Time → 11:60 - 3:45 = 8:15.

Q4: Letter Reflection

Problem: What is the vertical mirror image of the letter "R"?
Options:
A) Я
B) R
C) ᖉ

Answer: A) Я
Explanation: The letter "R" laterally inverts to "Я" in a vertical mirror.

Q5: Combined Reflection

Problem: What is the water image of the mirror image of "E"?
Steps:

1. Mirror image (vertical) of "E" = "Ǝ"

2. Water image of "Ǝ" = ?

Answer: Ǝ
Explanation: The water image of "Ǝ" remains the same as it's already inverted.

Q6: Symmetrical Figure

Problem: Which figure is identical to its water image?
Options:
A) ◯
B) ◻
C) △

Answer: A) ◯
Explanation: A circle looks the same when flipped upside down.

Q7: Number Reflection

Problem: What is the vertical mirror image of "69"?
Options:
A) 69
B) 96
C) 69

Answer: A) 69
Explanation: "6" becomes "9" and vice versa in a mirror, so "69" inverts to "69".

Q8: Word Reflection

Problem: What is the vertical mirror image of the word "MOM"?
Options:
A) WOW
B) MOM
C) ꟽOꟽ

Answer: B) MOM
Explanation: "M" and "O" are symmetrical letters that remain unchanged.

Q9: Complex Shape

Problem: What is the water image of this arrow?

  →
 / \
└───┘

Options:
A)
←
/
└───┘
B)
↓
\ /
───
C)
↑
/
┌───┐

Answer: B
Explanation: The arrow points downward when flipped upside down.

Q10: Digital Display

Problem: What is the water image of a digital "7"?

Original: 7
Water Image: ?

Options:
A) 7
B) ᒥ
C) Γ

Answer: B) ᒥ
Explanation: The digital "7" upside down resembles "ᒥ".