Water Image Tips and Tricks for Government Exams

Introduction

• Mirror Image or horizontal Plane and water image are two new subjects or parts in non-verbal reasoning, Mirror image is also known as horizontal plane so we are going to learn mirror image methods and Water images.

Theory

• The reflection of an object into the water is its water image. It appears by inverting an object vertically i.e. upside down. The water image of the figure looks like the mirror image of the figure in case  the mirror is  horizontally at the bottom of the figure.

• From the above figure, it is clear that the water image is inverted from a real a real image in which the L H S and the R H S remain at their position i.e. remains on the same side as they are in original figure but the top and bottom of the figure gets interchanged i.e. top becomes bottom and the bottom becomes the top.

Tips

1. When the mirror is placed exactly at the top of the image

• In this situation, the top and bottom part of the image will be interchanged whenever there is a mirror exactly at the top of the image. However, the left and right sides of the image will remain the same. 

2. When the mirror is placed on the right-hand side of the image

• When a horizontal mirror is placed at the right-hand side of an object/ image, the left side becomes the right one and the right side becomes the left one. This interchanging of the images will produce altogether a different image. 

3. When the mirror is placed on the left-hand side of the image.

• Whenever the mirror is placed horizontally over an image or object, the right side of the image turns into the left side whereas the left side will be turned into the right one. Due to the interchanging of the image, there will be a new image formed altogether. 

Common types of water image questions

• Letters - single letters or short letter groups shown above a horizontal line; identify the water image.
• Numbers - single or grouped digits reflected in water; check for digits that look like other digits when inverted.
• Mixed letters and numbers - combinations where both alphabetic and numeric shapes must be inverted.
• Geometric shapes - polygons, stars, arrows, patterns; check orientation of tips and vertices after vertical inversion.
• Multiple reflections or composite operations - a figure may be reflected and then rotated, or reflected across more than one axis; apply operations in the order stated.

How to approach options in objective tests

• First determine the reflecting axis (horizontal for water images). If the given axis is not horizontal, the correct operation may be a mirror image instead - do not assume.
• Mental quick check: pick one distinct point or stroke on the original and find its expected location in each option. Eliminate options that move the point horizontally when the axis is horizontal.
• Use symmetry: if the original is symmetric about the horizontal axis, the water image will look identical; if symmetric about the vertical axis, the mirror image would be identical instead.
• When several options appear similar, compare small asymmetric details (tiny hooks, stroke endings, open/closed gaps) - these survive or change predictably under vertical flipping and distinguish options

Solved Examples