Rotation Symmetry in Quadrilaterals
In this activity we are going to look at the rotation symmetry of quadrilaterals.
What order of rotation symmetry does a square have?
The red square has been rotated about its centre by the angle given to create the blue square.
By moving the orange point, change the angle to place the blue square exactly over the red square.
How many rotations can be found this way? How does this tell us the order of rotational symmetry? Why is this the case?
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).
What order of rotational 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? What order of rotational symmetry does each have?
What order of rotation symmetry does a square have?
The red square has been rotated about its centre by the angle given to create the blue square.
By moving the orange point, change the angle to place the blue square exactly over the red square.
How many rotations can be found this way? How does this tell us the order of rotational symmetry? Why is this the case?
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).
What order of rotational 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? What order of rotational symmetry does each have?
Ideas for Teachers
This activty gets the pupils to see the relationship between rotational symmetry and angles. It should also become clear that every shape has at least order one rotational symmetry (important terminology that needs to be introduced) since an angle of 0 degrees can be used.
Demonstrating from the front can be effective, but the real power behind this activity is when the pupils can get their hands on, and explore themselves.
This activty gets the pupils to see the relationship between rotational symmetry and angles. It should also become clear that every shape has at least order one rotational symmetry (important terminology that needs to be introduced) since an angle of 0 degrees can be used.
Demonstrating from the front can be effective, but the real power behind this activity is when the pupils can get their hands on, and explore themselves.
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