Line of Symmetry

The line of symmetry is a line which divides the Pictures into two parts and they form a mirror image of the other,that is the images in the both the side of the line are reflection of other, when it folded one side over the another along the line of symmetry are equal. That is are dividing the Picture exactly 2 equal parts. Those 2 parts are equal in size and similar to another part. Let us see about the number of lines of symmetry with their pictures in this article.

Look at the following figures:

In the above figures (i), (ii) and (iii), the dotted lines are the lines of symmetry., and both the part of figures are identical.

To make a plane symmetrical figure, take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Cut out a shape based on the folding line. On unfolding the paper, a design is obtained. The crease of the folding line on the paper marks the line of symmetry of the design/figure obtained. The above design (figure (ii)) is an example cut out design. The dotted line marks the line of symmetry.

The rectangle objects have two lines of symmetry only not a 4 lines of symmetry and the circle shapes have an infinite number of lines of symmetry. A line is parallel to the horizontal plane that is known a horizontal line of symmetry. The line of symmetry is perpendicular to the horizontal plane that is called as vertical line of symmetry.

How to identify the line of symmetry ?

At first we take the figure on a plane paper and then fold the paper so the identical part of figure overlap on each-other. Which line divide the figure in two identical part that is known as line of symmetry, Many figure have more than one symmetry line as for examples:

Lines of symmetry of some common geometrical figures

• Angle : An angle with equal arms has one line of symmetry - the internal bisector angle, as shown in the diagram:-

• Rhombus: A rhombus has two lines of symmetry - the two diagonals of the rhombus. The figure is as follows:-

• Kite: A kite has a single line of symmetry, as shown in the figure below:-

Some english alphabets having line of symmetry

The following alphabets in English are symmetrical about the dotted line:-

In addition to this, the letters D, E, H, I, K, M, O, T, U, V, W, X and Y are all symmetrical shapes.

The rectangle objects have two lines of symmetry only not a 4 lines of symmetry and the circle shapes have an infinite number of lines of symmetry. A line is parallel to the horizontal plane that is known a horizontal types line of symmetry. The line of symmetry is perpendicular to the horizontal plane that is called as vertical types of line of symmetry

Types of 0 lines of symmetry with shapes

• The scalene triangle figure has 0 lines of symmetry.

• The Parallelogram object has 0 lines of symmetry.

• The Trapezoid objects have 0 lines of symmetry.

1 lines of symmetry: The Isosceles triangle objects have 1 lines of symmetry. Isosceles triangle has vertical lines of symmetry.

Types of 2 lines of symmetry with shapes

• The ellipse shape has two lines of symmetry. Ellipse has 1 vertical lines of symmetry also 1 horizontal lines of symmetry.

• The rectangle object has two lines of symmetry. Rectangle shape has 1 vertical lines of symmetry also 1 horizontal lines of symmetry.

• The cylinder shape has two lines of symmetry. Cylinder shape has 1 vertical lines of symmetry also 1 horizontal lines of symmetry.

3 lines of symmetry shapes: The equilateral triangle has 3 lines of symmetry. One is vertical lines other 2 is remaining corners. It has no horizontal symmetry.

4 lines of symmetry shapes

The Square shape has 4 lines of symmetry. Square has 1 vertical 1 horizontal lines of symmetry and other two is corners.

5 lines of symmetry shapes

The regular pentagon has 5 lines of symmetry. It has 1 vertical line other 4 is remaining corners. It has no horizontal symmetry.