What does the term 'reflections' refer to in geometry?

The term 'reflections' in geometry refers specifically to a transformation that flips a shape over a line, creating a mirror image of that shape. This transformation involves constructing a line known as the line of reflection, where each point on the original shape corresponds to a point on the reflected image, positioned at an equal distance from the line but on the opposite side.

When a shape is reflected, its orientation is reversed, meaning that features that were facing to one side will now face the opposite side, similar to how a mirror image presents an inverted view of an object. This is fundamental in understanding geometric transformations, as reflections are distinct from other transformations such as rotations, enlargements, or translations. Each of those transformations involves different methods of altering the position or size of a shape, but reflections maintain the original shape's size and intrinsic characteristics while changing its orientation relative to the line of reflection.