Why do this problem?
This problem follows on from
Mirror, Mirror... but it works equally well on its own. It could be used as extension work for students learning to draw reflections accurately.
Alternatively, this problem and the two related problems
Mirror, Mirror... and
Who Is the Fairest of Them All? could form a unit of work on combined transformations. All three problems ask students to consider the effect of combining two
transformations, and then challenge them to describe the single transformations that produce the same results.
Possible approach
These printable resources may be useful: ...on the Wall,
As an extension task, all that is needed is to provide the problem verbally or as a worksheet to pairs of students who could then make sense of it together. When they have established the combined transformation for one specific example, a teacher intervention may be appropriate, to move the focus to the general case -asking the key questions below.
With a full class, encourage different students to start with different flag positions, and different choices of x or y axis as the first mirror line. The teacher intervention above could become a full class discussion. In theory, all students will have the same combined transformation, which should be a perfect moment for a comment on evidence versus proof.
Key questions
What if the flag was in a different place?
What if you reflected in the other line first?
What if the lines were 45 degrees apart?
What, precisely, does the final position of the flag depend on?
Can you prove it?
Possible extension
Ask students to summarise their findings in exactly 20 words (!) - then ask what other transformations might be combined in a similar manner.
Ask (suitably experienced) students to create a dynamic geometry file that demonstrates their findings.
Possible support
Ensure students use square paper and encourage them to draw their reflections accurately.