How does the reflection formula for vectors work?

[Icosahedron]

Could someone explain how the reflection formula comes about?

R_a v = v - 2a(va)/ (aa) , where v and a are vectors and v is relected along the axis orthogonal to a

thanks

 

[HallsofIvy]

I presume that by "va" and "aa" you mean the dot product.

Decompose \vec{v} into components parallel to and orthogonal to \vec{a}.

Recall that \vec{a}\cdot\vec{v} can be defined as "|\vec{a}||\vec{v}| cos(\theta) where \theta is the angle between \vec{a} and \vec{v}.

From simple trigonometry, the component of \vec{v} parallel to \vec{a} is |\vec{v}|cos(\theta)= \vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|. To get a "vector projection", a vector in the direction of \vec{a} with that length, multiply by the unit vector in the direction of \vec{a}, \vec{a}/|\vec{a}|. That gives (\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|^2)\vec{a} as the "vector component of \vec{v} parallel to \vec{a}". Since the components parallel and perpendicular to \vec{a} must add to \vec{v}, the component perpendicular to \vec{a} is \vec{v}-(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|^2)\vec{a}.

Now, reflecting \vec{v} along an axis orthogonal to \vec{a} gives a new vector having the same component perpendicular to \vec{a} but with the component parallel reversed:
\vec{v}-(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|^2)\vec{a} -\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|^2)\vec{a}
= \vec{v}-2(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}/|\vec{a}|^2)\vec{a}

 

[dodo]

I have an incomplete answer, but maybe you can finish it.

Let v' be the reflection of v over some axis. If you try to draw a vector s such that v = v' + s, using the triangle method to add the vectors v and s, you'll see that s is orthogonal to the reflection axis, and thus colinear to a.

The drawing should show an isosceles triangle, bisected by the reflection axis, where the two equally-sized sides are |v| and |v'|, the third side being of size |s|. From this triangle you should be able to calculate the magnitude of s as equal to 2 . |v| . cos theta, where "theta" is the angle between v (or v') and the normal to the reflection axis. (Try it on the drawing!)

Now, the expression 2 . |v| . cos theta is equal in magnitude to 2 . (va) / |a|. Multiplying this quantity by an unitary vector in the direction of a, namely a / |a|, you should get your vector s... or almost. There is a +/-1 factor not accounted yet for: has s the same direction of a or the opposite?

(This sign is the missing part that I was lazy to complete - I'd guess it has to do with v being or not on the same side of the axis than a; examining the sign of (va) should give a clue.)

Doing the multiplication above (and correcting the sign), you should get s = 2 (va) . a / |a|^2 = 2 (va) . a / (aa), and when replacing this expression for s into v' = v - s, you get your reflection formula.

Edit: Oh, I was pwned again. :)

 

[Icosahedron]

thanks a lot!