For lighting, at a point P on the surface, we have unit vectors L from P towards the light, and R from P in the direction of reflected light. Also a normal N, also a unit vector.
A D B _____________ \ | / \ |N / \ | / L \ | /R \ | / \|/ P
By simple trigonometry we can show that: R = 2N(N.L) - L See section 16.1.4.