Symmetries of a Graph - Maple Help
For the best experience, we recommend viewing online help using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Online Help

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  is on the graph the point  is also on the graph.

 

The following graph is symmetric with respect to the -axis. The mirror image of the blue part of the graph in the -axis is just the red part, and vice versa.

 

 

This graph is that of the curve . If you replace  with , the result is , which mathematically shows that this graph is symmetric about the x-axis.

-axis Symmetry

A graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis if whenever a point  is on the graph the point  is also on the graph.

 

This graph is symmetric with respect to the -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 . If you replace  with  the result is , 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  about that point leaves the graph unchanged.

Symmetry About the Origin

A graph is symmetric with respect to the origin if whenever a point  is on the graph the point  is also on the graph.

 

This graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.

 

 

This is the graph of the curve . If you replace  with and  with  the result is , which on multiplication of both sides by  gives , the original equation. This mathematically shows that this graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.

 

 

More MathApps

MathApps/AlgebraAndGeometry

 


Download Help Document