Watch: Lines of symmetry
Learn about vertical lines of symmetry.
What is vertical symmetry?
Look at the shapes below. What do you notice about them? How are they the same?
They all have vertical symmetry. This means you can draw a mirror line down through the middle of each shape and divide it into two reflected halves.
Remember vertical means from top to bottom.
Watch: What is a mirror line?
It's called a mirror line because when a mirror is placed on this line, you will see the hidden half of the shape in the mirror.
If you cut each shape from paper or card, you could fold along the mirror line and the two halves would fit onto each other.
Watch the video from 大象传媒 Teach to see examples of a mirror line.
Example 1
Which of these letters have vertical symmetry?
A and H can be divided down the middle to make two reflected halves.
E and P cannot.
Example 2
Only one of these numbers has vertical symmetry. Which one?
Only number 8 has vertical symmetry.
Activities
Activity 1
This pattern is made of squares. The finished pattern has vertical symmetry.
Some of the squares are filled in, can you see how to complete the pattern by colouring in 3 more squares?
Activity 2
Here is part of a design that has vertical symmetry.
Can you see how to complete the design on the right side of the mirror line?
Quiz
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More on Symmetry
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