Why does a mirror flip left and right but not up and down?

touqra · Oct 4, 2005

Why is it that a mirror reflection only exchange the notion of left-right but not up-down ? I mean if I were to stand in front of a mirror, my mirror image exchanges my left hand with the left, but not my head with my legs.

krab · Oct 4, 2005

Actually, it does neither; it reverses front-back.

GENIERE · Oct 4, 2005

touqra said:

Why is it that a mirror reflection only exchange the notion of left-right but not up-down ? I mean if I were to stand in front of a mirror, my mirror image exchanges my left hand with the left, but not my head with my legs.

I had the same problem with my new digital camera so I reversed the scan on my monitor. Works fine now but I have to type using a mirror.

.

KingNothing · Oct 4, 2005

krab said:

Actually, it does neither; it reverses front-back.

I've been asked the original question many times, I kinda thought this was the answer in my mind, but never could put it so elegantly. You're my hero, krab!

Why does a mirror flip left and right but not up and down?

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