📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Basic Rules
| Image | What changes | What stays |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror (vertical, on the right) | Left ↔ Right | Top-bottom |
| Water image (below) | Top ↔ Bottom | Left-right |
- Mirror image of a word: the letter order reverses and each letter is flipped.
- A mirror placed above/below (horizontal) acts like a water image.
📌 2. Symmetric Letters
| Type | Letters (capital) |
|---|---|
| Vertical symmetry — unchanged in mirror | A H I M O T U V W X Y |
| Horizontal symmetry — unchanged in water | B C D E H I K O X |
| Unchanged in both | H I O X |
💡 Memory Tip: Words like 'MOM', 'TOT', 'WOW' look the same in a mirror: the letters are symmetric and the word reads the same backwards.
📌 3. Numbers & Clocks
- Digits 0, 1, 8 look the same in a vertical mirror (in digital font 8 and 0 also in water).
- Clock mirror time = 11:60 − time; water image = 18:30 − time.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- In the water-image formula, subtract 12 if the result passes 12 (e.g. 18:30 − 4:10 = 14:20 = 2:20).
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Which letter looks the same in a vertical mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
A has vertical symmetry.
A has vertical symmetry.
Q2. Which letter looks the same in a water image? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
E has horizontal symmetry; A, M, T flip in water.
E has horizontal symmetry; A, M, T flip in water.
Q3. Which word looks exactly the same in a vertical mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
T and O are symmetric and TOOT reverses to TOOT. B, K, D, E are not vertically symmetric; N is not either.
T and O are symmetric and TOOT reverses to TOOT. B, K, D, E are not vertically symmetric; N is not either.
Q4. Which letter stays the same in both mirror and water images? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
H has both vertical and horizontal symmetry.
H has both vertical and horizontal symmetry.
Q5. A clock shows 4:10. What time is seen in a mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
11:60 − 4:10 = 7:50.
11:60 − 4:10 = 7:50.
Q6. A clock shows 4:10. What time is seen in its water image? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
18:30 − 4:10 = 14:20 ⇒ 2:20.
18:30 − 4:10 = 14:20 ⇒ 2:20.
Q7. In the mirror image of 'CAT', which (flipped) letter is first from the left? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The order reverses in a mirror: T A C (each letter flipped).
The order reverses in a mirror: T A C (each letter flipped).
Q8. Which digit looks the same in a vertical mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
8 is vertically symmetric.
8 is vertically symmetric.
Q9. A clock shows 1:30. What is the mirror-image time? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
11:60 − 1:30 = 10:30.
11:60 − 1:30 = 10:30.
Q10. How many of these letters stay unchanged in a vertical mirror? M, N, O, P, U, V Practice
Correct answer: (C)
M, O, U, V are symmetric (4); N and P are not.
M, O, U, V are symmetric (4); N and P are not.
Q11. How many of these letters stay unchanged in a water image? B, C, F, K, L, X Practice
Correct answer: (D)
B, C, K, X (4); F and L change.
B, C, K, X (4); F and L change.
Q12. How does a person writing with the right hand appear in a mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
A mirror swaps left and right.
A mirror swaps left and right.
Q13. A clock shows 9:15. What is the mirror-image time? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
11:60 − 9:15 = 2:45.
11:60 − 9:15 = 2:45.
Q14. The mirror image of a clock shows 5:20. What is the actual time? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Actual = 11:60 − 5:20 = 6:40 (the formula works both ways).
Actual = 11:60 − 5:20 = 6:40 (the formula works both ways).
Q15. Which word looks the same in a water image (letters flipped top-bottom)? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
C, O, D, E are horizontally symmetric and water does not change order.
C, O, D, E are horizontally symmetric and water does not change order.
Q16. A clock's mirror image shows 12:00. What is the actual time? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
12 and 6 lie on the vertical axis; both hands at 12 ⇒ unchanged.
12 and 6 lie on the vertical axis; both hands at 12 ⇒ unchanged.
Q17. Which letter changes in a vertical mirror? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
S is not vertically symmetric; W, X, Y are.
S is not vertically symmetric; W, X, Y are.
Q18. How does '108' read in a vertical mirror (taking the digits as symmetric)? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The order reverses: 8, 0, 1 ⇒ 801.
The order reverses: 8, 0, 1 ⇒ 801.
Q19. A clock shows 3:00. In a mirror, where does the hour hand appear to point? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
11:60 − 3:00 = 9:00.
11:60 − 3:00 = 9:00.
Q20. How does 'BOX' appear in a horizontal mirror placed above it? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
A horizontal mirror acts like water; B, O, X are horizontally symmetric ⇒ looks the same.
A horizontal mirror acts like water; B, O, X are horizontally symmetric ⇒ looks the same.