Symmetries of a Graph
Symmetry with respect to a line
A graph is symmetric with respect to a line if reflecting the graph over that line leaves the graph unchanged. This line is called an axis of symmetry of the graph.
x-axis symmetry
A graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis if whenever a point x,y is on the graph the point x,−y is also on the graph.
The following graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis. The mirror image of the blue part of the graph in the x-axis is just the red part, and vice versa.
This graph is that of the curve x = y2−1. If you replace y with −y, the result is x = −y2−1 = y2−1, which mathematically shows that this graph is symmetric about the x-axis.
y-axis Symmetry
A graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis if whenever a point x,y is on the graph the point −x,y is also on the graph.
This graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis. The mirror image of the blue part of the graph in the y-axis is just the red part, and vice versa.
This graph is that of the curve y=x4−3 x2+1. If you replace x with −x the result is y=−x4−3−x2+1=x4−3 x2+1, which mathematically shows that this graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
Symmetry with respect to a point
A graph is symmetric with respect to a point if rotating the graph 180° about that point leaves the graph unchanged.
Symmetry About the Origin
A graph is symmetric with respect to the origin if whenever a point x,y is on the graph the point −x,−y is also on the graph.
This graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.
This is the graph of the curve y=x3−2 x. If you replace x with−x and y with −y the result is −y=−x3−2 −x=−x3−2 x, which on multiplication of both sides by −1 gives y=x3−2 x, the original equation. This mathematically shows that this graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.
Visualizing symmetry
Explore the concepts of symmetry with respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin using this interactive demonstration. Select a type of symmetry by using the radio buttons below the graph. By clicking and dragging in the graph window below you can create a graph which exhibits that symmetry. Clear the graph by clicking on it.
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