Symmetry

In a nutshell

A shape is symmetrical if one side is the mirror image of the other. A line of symmetry is a line that cuts a shape exactly in half.

Symmetric figures

Symmetric figures have lines of symmetry. For example, a square has this property - it has four lines of symmetry, as shown below:

A line of symmetry is a line that cuts a shape exactly in half. Below is a table which shows the different shapes and their lines of symmetry:

​​shape name	properties	diagram
Rectangle	$$2$$​ lines of symmetry
Rhombus	$$2$$​ lines of symmetry
Isosceles triangle	$$1$$​ line of symmetry
Equilateral triangle	$$3$$​ lines of symmetry
Regular hexagon	$$6$$​ lines of symmetry

Completing symmetrical patterns

To complete a symmetrical pattern, you need to reflect it in the line of symmetry and fill in the other side of the pattern.

Tip: When completing symmetrical patterns, it is useful to imagine the line of symmetry as a mirror.

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