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Year 6

Reflect simple shapes in the axes on a full coordinate grid

I can reflect simple shapes in the axes on a full coordinate grid.

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Year 6

Reflect simple shapes in the axes on a full coordinate grid

I can reflect simple shapes in the axes on a full coordinate grid.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When reflecting a shape in the axes, the reflection and original shape should be the same distance from the axis.
  2. The shape remains the same size and shape after it has been reflected.
  3. If you put a mirror on the axis, the new shape will look the same as the original shape.

Keywords

  • Reflect - A reflection is an image or shape as it would be seen in a mirror.

  • Axes - The x and y lines that cross at right angles to make a graph or grid are called axes, which is the plural of axis.

Common misconception

One of the most common mistakes pupils make when reflecting is to flip the shape. Essentially, they translate the shape rather than reflecting it.

Attention is given at the start of the lesson to examples and non-examples of reflections, including the above misconception. Use real mirrors and ask pupils to reflect objects in them, noticing the direction in which the reflection is facing.

Mirrors are a useful way to check reflections but it is possible - and efficient - to reflect shapes across one or more axes even without them. They act as a useful scaffold, however, for pupils who are unable to use the other suggested strategies such as considering the coordinates.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the coordinate to the quadrant where it can be found.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,(−3,1)
tick

(−3,1)

Correct Answer:B,(3,1)
tick

(3,1)

Correct Answer:C,(−3,-1)
tick

(−3,-1)

Correct Answer:D,(3,−1)
tick

(3,−1)

Q2.
What is the coordinate that has been plotted on the grid?
An image in a quiz
(2,−1)
(1,2)
Correct answer: (−1,2)
(1−2)
Q3.
Can a rectangle and a square be congruent to each other?
Correct answer: Yes, as long as their side lengths are the same as each other.
Correct answer: Yes, as long as they have the same area.
No, because two congruent shapes must be identical.
Q4.
Which other number on a number line showing positive and negative numbers would be the same distance from zero as 5?
3
−4
Correct answer: −5
−10
Q5.
Which of these is closest in meaning to ‘vertex’?
Side of a shape
Correct answer: Corner of a shape
Area of a shape
Perimeter of a shape
Q6.
Which of these best describes a trapezium?
No pairs of parallel sides.
Correct answer: One pair of parallel sides.
One pair of perpendicular sides.
Two pairs of parallel sides.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these correctly shows the reflection of the unshaded shape in the y-axis?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: C
Q2.
Which of these correctly shows the reflection of the unshaded shape in the x-axis?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: A
Q3.
One of the vertices of a shape is (−4,1). If the shape is reflected in the y-axis, what is the coordinate of the reflected vertex?
(1,−4)
Correct answer: (4,1)
(4,−1)
(1,−4)
Q4.
One of the vertices of a shape is (−4,1). If the shape is reflected in the x-axis, what is the coordinate of the reflected vertex?
Correct answer: (−4 −1)
(4,1)
(4 −1)
(1,−4)
Q5.
One of the vertices of a shape is (−4,1). If the shape is reflected in both axes, what is the coordinate of the reflected vertex?
(1,−4)
(4,1)
Correct answer: (4,−1)
(1,−4)
Q6.
One of the vertices of a shape is (−4,0). If the shape is reflected in both axes, what is the coordinate of the reflected vertex?
Correct Answer: (4,0), 4,0