Mirror Puzzle

[PairTheBoard]

[ QUOTE ]
Some time ago I was asked the following question. After I really couldn't figure it out, I was given an answer, and never did understand it completely. So, I'm seeking an explanation.

When you look in a mirror, left and right is reversed. Yet, up and down are not. Why does a mirror prefer one reflection axis over another?

-RMJ

[/ QUOTE ]

It's because if you were to turn around and face yourself, thus bringing your right side across from your former left side, you would be Rotating yourself around a vertical axis. You would have to rotate around a horizontal axis to reverse up/down.

PairTheBoard

[udontknowmickey]

The mirror doesn't reflect left to right, but it reflects back to front.

[Moozh]

Left and right is relative to the observer. Up and down is not.

[RocketManJames]

[ QUOTE ]
The mirror doesn't reflect left to right, but it reflects back to front.

[/ QUOTE ]

To me, this explanation makes the most sense. I am sure that many of the other explanations are equivalent, but for now I can live with this one.

Thanks, everyone.

-RMJ