Q. How many letters of the English alphabet (capitals) appear same when looked at in a mirror? (UPSC Prelims 2009)
Answer: 10
Notes: Letters that appear identical when mirrored are those with vertical line symmetry. These letters are: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, and X. Each of these 10 capital letters has a vertical axis of symmetry, meaning the left half mirrors the right half perfectly. When reflected horizontally in a mirror, they maintain their original appearance. Other letters like B, C, D, E, F, G, etc., appear reversed or distorted in a mirror due to lacking vertical symmetry. Therefore, exactly 10 capital letters of the English alphabet appear the same when viewed in a mirror.