The group idea
We have seen that the (non-square) rectangle has just four symmetries: I, V, H and R. We find that we can actually set up an algebraic structure of these symmetries, in the sense that one symmetry followed by another gives rise to a symmetry in the set. We shall illustrate these combinations of symmetries of the rectangle, using a flag for demonstration (in much the same as we used the envelope previously). Click successively on two of the rectangles at left below. There are 16 cases to investigate! |
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RESET Group Summary | |||||||
A reflection H in the horizontal axis
A reflection H in the horizontal axis
followed by
a reflection H in the horizontal axis
results in the identity I,
leaving the rectangle unchanged.
We write H.H = I.
A reflection H in the horizontal axis
followed by
the identity transformation I
results in a reflection H.
We write H.I = H.
A reflection H in the horizontal axis
followed by
a halfturn R
results in the reflection V in the vertical axis.
We write H.R = V.
A reflection H in the horizontal axis
followed by
a reflection V in the vertical axis
results in a halfturn R.
We write H.V = R.
The identity transformation I
(leaving the rectangle unchanged)
The identity transformation I
followed by
a reflection H in the horizontal axis
results in a reflection H.
We write I.H = H.
The identity transformation I
followed by
the identity transformation I
results in the identity transformation I.
We write I.I = I.
The identity transformation I
followed by
a halfturn R
results in a halfturn R.
We write I.R = R.
The identity transformation I
followed by
a reflection V in the vertical axis
results in the halfturn V.
We write I.V = V.
The halfturn R
A halfturn R
followed by
a reflection H in the horizontal axis
results in a reflection V in the vertical axis.
We write R.H = V.
A rotation R
followed by
the identity transformation I
results in a reflection R.
We write R.I = R.
A halfturn R
followed by
a halfturn R
results in the identity transformation I.
We write R.R = I.
A halfturn R
followed by
a reflection V in the vertal axis
results in a reflection H in the horizontal axis.
We write R.V = H.
A reflection V in the vertical axis
A reflection V in the vertical axis
followed by
a reflection H in the horizontal axis
results in a halfturn R.
We write V.H = R.
A reflection V in the vertical axis
followed by
the identity transformation I
results in a reflection V.
We write V.I = V.
A reflection V in the vertical axis
followed by
a halfturn R
results in a reflection H in the horizontal axis.
We write V.R = H.
A reflection V in the vertical axis
followed by
a reflection V in the vertical axis
results in the identity transformation I.
We write V.V = I.