[Math] Why rotation and reflection do not form groups under composition of functions

abstract-algebra

I am learning about groups in abstract algebra. I am trying to understand why the set of all rotations of the plane does not form a group under composition of
functions. Secondly why the set of all reflections of the plane does not form a group under composition of functions. I would appreciate if someone could elaborate on these.

I understand that it has something to do with one of the properties of groups not being true for the given circumstance, however I proved in a previous exercise that all rotations of $C$ around a fixed point form a group under composition of functions. So this is actually confusing me. Any help would be appreciated.

Best Answer

Hint: Compute the composition of the rotation by $\pi$ around the origin and the rotation by $\pi$ around a fixed point (which is not the origin). You can even consider the line instead of the plane.