How Can You Determine Point-Rotational Symmetry of a General Function?

  • Thread starter Unit
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Symmetry
In summary, to check if a function f(x) has rotational symmetry about any arbitrary point (h, v), we can translate the point (h, v) to (0, 0) and then check if the resulting function is point-rotational about (0, 0). This can be done by comparing f(x) with -f(-x+2h)+2v, and if they are equal, then the function has rotational symmetry about the point (h, v).
  • #1
Unit
182
0

Homework Statement


Given f(x), find an expression to check whether f(x) has rotational symmetry about any arbitrary point (h, v).

Homework Equations


If [tex]f(x) = f(-x)[/tex] then the function is symmetrical about the y-axis.

If [tex]f(x) = -f(-x)[/tex] then the function is point-rotational about the origin.

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know how to deal with "general" functions, so I did this:

Let [tex]f(x) = x^3 + v[/tex] because I know it has this symmetry.
[tex]f(-x) = (-x)^3 + v[/tex]
[tex]f(-x) = -x^3 + v[/tex]
[tex]-f(-x) = x^3 - v[/tex]

Then I found the difference between f(x) and -f(-x).

[tex]f(x) - (-f(-x)) = (x^3 + v) - (x^3 - v)[/tex]
[tex]f(x) + f(-x) = 2v[/tex]
[tex]f(x) = -f(-x) + 2v[/tex]

This gives me point-rotation about (0, v). But how do I do this for just a "general" function?

Also, I can guess that point-rotation about (h, 0) will be something like [tex]f(x) = -f(-x+2h)[/tex], based on knowledge of transformations, but how do I show this as elegantly as above with (0, v)?

From this, I can guess that if [tex]f(x) = -f(-x+2h)+2v[/tex] for a real point (h, v), then the function's graph is point-rotational about (h, v). Is this correct?

Cheers,
Unit

p.s. I made this problem up for myself, if that's okay.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You don't mean "general function" you mean "general point".

Given a point (u, v) in the xy-plane, you can "translate" (u, v) to (0, 0) by subtracting u from x and v from y. f(x) becomes f(x- u) and y= f(x) becomes y- v= f(x- u) or, finally, y= f(x- u)+ v. Now, what happens if you replace x with -x?
 

FAQ: How Can You Determine Point-Rotational Symmetry of a General Function?

What is point-rotational symmetry?

Point-rotational symmetry is a type of symmetry found in geometric shapes. It occurs when a shape can be rotated around a fixed point and still maintain the same appearance.

How is point-rotational symmetry different from other types of symmetry?

Point-rotational symmetry is different from other types of symmetry because it involves rotation rather than reflection or translation. In point-rotational symmetry, the shape remains the same but its position changes.

What is the order of rotational symmetry?

The order of rotational symmetry is the number of times a shape can be rotated around its center point and still look the same. For example, a square has an order of rotational symmetry of 4 because it can be rotated 4 times before it repeats its original appearance.

How can point-rotational symmetry be identified?

Point-rotational symmetry can be identified by looking for a fixed point, also known as the center of rotation, and rotating the shape around that point. If the shape appears the same at least once during a full rotation, it has point-rotational symmetry.

What are some real-life examples of point-rotational symmetry?

Some real-life examples of point-rotational symmetry include wheels, gears, and snowflakes. These objects can be rotated around a fixed point and still maintain the same appearance.

Back
Top