Reflection Symmetry in Quadrilaterals
In this activity we are going to look at the reflection symmetry of quadrilaterals.
How many lines of symmetry does a square have?
The red square has been reflected in the black line to create the blue square.
By moving the orange points, place the line in one of the mirror lines of the red square.
If it is indeed a mirror line, then the blue square will sit exactly on the red square. Why is this the case?
How many lines of symmetry could you find this way? Does this match your previous answer?
Now reset the activity by pressing the button in the top right of the activity.
This time, change the red square into a red rectangle by moving the vertices (corners).
How many lines of symmetry does a rectangle have?
Check by moving the line as above.
Now try the same thing with other quadrilaterals. Can you name all the quadrilaterals you make? How many lines of symmetry does each have?
How many lines of symmetry does a square have?
The red square has been reflected in the black line to create the blue square.
By moving the orange points, place the line in one of the mirror lines of the red square.
If it is indeed a mirror line, then the blue square will sit exactly on the red square. Why is this the case?
How many lines of symmetry could you find this way? Does this match your previous answer?
Now reset the activity by pressing the button in the top right of the activity.
This time, change the red square into a red rectangle by moving the vertices (corners).
How many lines of symmetry does a rectangle have?
Check by moving the line as above.
Now try the same thing with other quadrilaterals. Can you name all the quadrilaterals you make? How many lines of symmetry does each have?
Ideas for Teachers
This activity is designed for the pupils to use, so ideally they will have access to a computer to explore the ideas. The most important concepts to get them to see are the diagonals of a rectangle. The added element of making all the quadrilaterals tests their knowledge in this area too. You might want them to explain all the symmetries of one type of quadrilateral in groups after the exploration.
This activity is designed for the pupils to use, so ideally they will have access to a computer to explore the ideas. The most important concepts to get them to see are the diagonals of a rectangle. The added element of making all the quadrilaterals tests their knowledge in this area too. You might want them to explain all the symmetries of one type of quadrilateral in groups after the exploration.
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