A point has the coordinates [tex][tex]$(m, 0)$[/tex][/tex] and [tex][tex]$m \neq 0$[/tex][/tex].

Which reflection of the point will produce an image located at [tex][tex]$(0, -m)$[/tex][/tex]?

A. A reflection of the point across the [tex][tex]$x$[/tex][/tex]-axis
B. A reflection of the point across the [tex][tex]$y$[/tex][/tex]-axis
C. A reflection of the point across the line [tex][tex]$y = x$[/tex][/tex]
D. A reflection of the point across the line [tex][tex]$y = -x$[/tex][/tex]



Answer :

To determine which reflection of the point [tex]\((m, 0)\)[/tex] will produce the image located at [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex], we need to analyze the effect of each type of reflection on the coordinates [tex]\((m, 0)\)[/tex].

1. Reflection across the x-axis:

Reflecting a point [tex]\((x, y)\)[/tex] across the x-axis results in the point [tex]\((x, -y)\)[/tex].
[tex]\[ (m, 0) \rightarrow (m, -0) = (m, 0) \][/tex]
The resulting point would be [tex]\((m, 0)\)[/tex], which is not [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex].

2. Reflection across the y-axis:

Reflecting a point [tex]\((x, y)\)[/tex] across the y-axis results in the point [tex]\((-x, y)\)[/tex].
[tex]\[ (m, 0) \rightarrow (-m, 0) \][/tex]
The resulting point would be [tex]\((-m, 0)\)[/tex], which is not [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex].

3. Reflection across the line [tex]\(y = x\)[/tex]:

Reflecting a point [tex]\((x, y)\)[/tex] across the line [tex]\(y = x\)[/tex] results in the point [tex]\((y, x)\)[/tex].
[tex]\[ (m, 0) \rightarrow (0, m) \][/tex]
The resulting point would be [tex]\((0, m)\)[/tex], which is not [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex].

4. Reflection across the line [tex]\(y = -x\)[/tex]:

Reflecting a point [tex]\((x, y)\)[/tex] across the line [tex]\(y = -x\)[/tex] results in the point [tex]\((-y, -x)\)[/tex].
[tex]\[ (m, 0) \rightarrow (0, -m) \][/tex]
The resulting point would be [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex], which matches the given point [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex].

Therefore, the reflection of the point [tex]\((m, 0)\)[/tex] that will produce the image located at [tex]\((0, -m)\)[/tex] is across the line [tex]\(y = -x\)[/tex].

Thus, the correct answer is:
- a reflection of the point across the line [tex]\(y = -x\)[/tex].