2D Shapes - Symmetry
2D shapes have 2 dimensions - length and width.
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We think of them as flat shapes as they have no height.
2D shapes can be created with straight or curvy lines.
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They can also have a special feature called Symmetry.
An object or shape is symmetrical when one half is the mirror image of the other half.
A line (or axis) of symmetry is along the edge of the symmetry. An image or object may have more than one line of symmetry. These images are symmetrical. Their line or lines of symmetry are shown.
Folding an image can help determine if it has line symmetry..
Symmetry is common in man made structures (like the one at the top of the page) and is often very precise as the dimensions can be created with this patterning feature in mind.
Symmetry can also be found in nature but is approximate, not exact.
When we rotate something we turn it.
A shape has rotational symmetry if an outline of the turning figure matches its original shape.
Order of symmetry is how many times an original shape matches the original one in full rotation.
Rotational symmetry can also be found in nature.
