Study Material — 11 PYQs (2024–2024) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SBI PO Mirror & Water Images is a frequently tested subtopic — 11 previous year questions from 2024–2024 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SBI PO Mirror & Water Images — Past Exam Questions
11 questions from actual SBI PO papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12024Previous Year Pattern
A shape with vertices at positions A (top-left), B (top-right), C (bottom-right), and D (bottom-left) is viewed in a mirror placed vertically on the right side. Which vertex will appear at the top-right position in the mirror image?
Exam Q 22024Previous Year Pattern
A word 'MIRROR' is written on a paper. When the paper is held in front of a mirror, how will the word appear in the mirror image?
Exam Q 32024Previous Year Pattern
A clock shows 3:00. What time will it show in a mirror image?
Exam Q 42024Previous Year Pattern
A pattern shows: First row has symbols ◆ ● ■ ◆. When this row is reflected in a vertical mirror placed on the right side, what will be the second and third symbols from the left in the reflected image?
Exam Q 52024Previous Year Pattern
A word is written as 'REASONING'. When this word is viewed in a mirror placed vertically on the right side, how will it appear?
Exam Q 62024Previous Year Pattern
A clock shows 3:45. What time will it show when viewed in a mirror placed vertically on the left side of the clock?
Exam Q 72024Previous Year Pattern
A word is written as 'REASONING'. When this word is first reflected in a vertical mirror (left-right flip), and then the mirror image is reflected in a horizontal mirror (top-bottom flip), what is the final result?
Exam Q 82024Previous Year Pattern
A complex figure contains: a '+' symbol in the top-left, a '÷' symbol in the top-right, a '×' symbol in the bottom-left, and a '−' symbol in the bottom-right. When this figure is first reflected in a vertical mirror and then the resulting image is reflected in a water surface (horizontal mirror), what is the final arrangement?
Exam Q 92024Previous Year Pattern
A figure displays an asymmetrical shape: a small filled circle at position (1,4), a right-angled triangle with the right angle at bottom-left at position (3,3), and an open square at position (5,2). When this figure is reflected in a vertical mirror (y-axis), and then the mirror image is reflected in a horizontal mirror (x-axis), what are the final coordinates and orientations?
Exam Q 102024Previous Year Pattern
A pattern shows: Row 1 has 'A' facing right, Row 2 has 'B' facing down, Row 3 has 'C' facing left. When this pattern is reflected in a vertical mirror, then the reflected pattern is reflected in a horizontal mirror, what is the final pattern's arrangement and orientations?
Exam Q 112024Previous Year Pattern
A figure consists of a capital letter 'P' with a small circle attached to its lower-right corner. When this figure is first reflected in a vertical mirror (left-right flip), and then the resulting image is reflected in a horizontal mirror (top-bottom flip), what will be the final appearance?
Consider:
- The letter P has a vertical stem on the left and a bump on the upper-right
- The small circle remains equidistant from the letter in all reflections
- The reflections are applied sequentially, not simultaneously
Concept Notes
Mirror & Water Images— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
CORE CONCEPT
Mirror Image: When you place a vertical mirror on the right side of an object, you get its mirror image. The image appears reversed horizontally
Water Image
When an object is reflected in water below it, you get its water image. The image appears flipped vertically
KEY RULES
Mirror Image Rules:
- Left becomes right, right becomes left
- Top and bottom positions remain same
- Curves change direction (C becomes reversed C)
- Numbers: 3 becomes reversed 3, 7 becomes reversed 7
Water Image Rules:
- Top becomes bottom, bottom becomes top
- Left and right positions remain same
- Curves flip vertically (smile becomes frown)
- Letters like M become W, p becomes d
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
1
Find mirror image of letters/numbers/shapes
2
Find water image of clock faces
3
Combined mirror and water images
4
Which option matches the given transformation
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
#1 - CLOCK METHOD:
For clock mirror images:
- Mirror time = 12:00 - Given time
- If 3:15 is given, mirror = 12:00 - 3:15 = 8:45
- Remember to adjust minutes: 60 - given minutes
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Write letters in reverse order: M-A-X-E
2
Step 2
Reverse each letter individually:
- E becomes reversed E
- X remains X (symmetrical)
- A becomes reversed A
- M becomes reversed M
3
Step 3
Final answer: Reversed M, Reversed A, X, Reversed E
WORKED EXAMPLE 2:
Question: Find water image of triangle with base at bottom
1
Step 1
Identify the orientation (base at bottom)
2
Step 2
Flip vertically - base moves to top
3
Step 3
All other features flip accordingly
4
Step 4
Answer: Triangle with base at top
SHORTCUT TRICK #2 - SYMMETRICAL LETTERS:
Symmetrical letters need no change:
- Horizontally symmetrical: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y
- Vertically symmetrical: B, C, D, H, I, O
- Use this to eliminate wrong options quickly
SHORTCUT TRICK #3 - DIRECTION ARROWS:
For arrows in mirror/water images:
- Mirror: Left arrow becomes right arrow
- Water: Up arrow becomes down arrow
- Combined: Diagonal arrows flip completely
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
#1:
Students confuse mirror and water images. Remember:
- Mirror = Side mirror of car (horizontal flip)
- Water = Lake reflection (vertical flip)
Many students apply wrong transformation and lose easy marks.
ADVANCED TIP:
For complex shapes, focus on one distinctive feature (like a small circle or line). Track how this feature moves in the transformation.
This saves time and reduces confusion.
PRACTICE STRATEGY:
Solve 10 questions daily. Start with simple letters, then move to numbers, shapes, and finally complex figures. Time yourself - aim for 30 seconds per question.
Key Points to Remember
Mirror image flips horizontally (left becomes right, right becomes left)
Water image flips vertically (top becomes bottom, bottom becomes top)
Clock mirror formula: 12:00 - Given time = Mirror time
Symmetrical letters remain unchanged in their respective transformations
Combined images require both horizontal and vertical flips
Direction arrows flip according to transformation type
Focus on distinctive features to track movement quickly
Letters like b become d in water image, p becomes q in mirror
Numbers 6 and 9 commonly interchange in water images
Practice identifying transformation type before attempting solution
Exam-Specific Tips
Mirror images show horizontal reversal with vertical positions unchanged
Water images show vertical reversal with horizontal positions unchanged
Clock showing 3:00 has mirror image showing 9:00
Letter 'R' becomes backwards 'R' in mirror image
Letter 'p' becomes 'q' in mirror and 'd' in water image
Number '2' becomes backwards '2' in mirror image
Triangle pointing up becomes triangle pointing down in water image