UPSC CSAT Simplified: Concepts of ‘Mirror Images’

UPSC, in its CSAT examination, frequently asks about mirror images. Hence, we need to understand the concept of mirror images.

Two thumb rules to be kept in mind about the mirror images:

1. In the case of a mirror image, the left becomes right, and the right becomes left.

2. Also, whatever is at the top remains at the top and whatever is at the bottom remains at the bottom.

Let us try and understand this with the help of a diagram.

Image Courtesy: Mudit Gupta

The above image depicts E’s mirror image. In the above image, whatever is towards the left goes to the right and whatever is to the right goes to the left. Whatever is at the top stays at the top and whatever is at the bottom stays at the bottom.

Let us try and get more clarity about mirror images with the help of one more example.

Image Courtesy: Mudit Gupta

In the above mirror image, the same logic is being followed. The red portion of the triangle that was towards the right-hand side is now towards the left-hand side. Similarly, the green portion that was towards the left-hand side is not towards the right-hand side after the mirror image.

Always remember, whenever we have to find out the mirror image, the entire bigger picture and its individual smaller elements get inverted.

Let us try and understand this with the help of another example:

Image Courtesy: Mudit Gupta

In the above image, please notice the following aspects of mirror images:

1. Whatever is towards the left, goes towards the right after being inverted by the mirror. Example: Tomato is towards the left. However, in the mirror image, it goes towards the right. Similarly, the tree is towards the right and it goes towards the left in the mirror image.

2. Whichever elements are at the top stay at the top and whichever elements are at the bottom stay at the bottom. Example: The tree is in the standing position in the original image. In the mirror image also, the tree is in the standing position. To put it more simply, the green portion of the tree is towards the top of the original image. Similarly, in the mirror image also, the green portion of the tree is towards the top.

Now let us get one step deeper and understand what happens when we try and find out the mirror image of a phrase.

Image Courtesy: Mudit Gupta

In the case of a phrase, always remember that the entire phrase will be inverted and the individual alphabets will also invert.

Check your progress:

Using the above mirror image logic, try and find out the mirror image for the word: “MISSISSIPPI”.

(About our Expert: Mudit Gupta has been a mentor and faculty for the UPSC Civil Services exam for 8 years with expertise in CSAT, Polity, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break complex concepts into simpler ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grip over the subject matter.)

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