A figure has Rotational Symmetry if when it is rotated \( < 360^\circ \) and it looks the same as its original figure.
The Order of Rotational Symmetry is the number of times the figure looks the same as its original figure when rotated \(360^\circ \).
The diagram below shows a regular (i.e. equal sides) hexagon (i.e. 6-sided polygon) with rotational symmetry of order 6.
The figures below each has a rotational symmetry of order 4.
The diagrams below show some examples of figures with rotational symmetry and their order of rotational symmetry.
Click on the "play" buttons (\( \triangleright \)) below to see the animation of the figures being rotated \(360^\circ \).
Click on the "rotate" buttons, followed by the "starting point" dots to see the animation of the figure being rotated \(360^\circ \).
Click on the "start" button on the interactive activity below, followed by the "open instructions" tab at the bottom of the interactive activity.
Choose a topic and click on it.
Activity 1
For the figure shown below, guess the order of rotation symmetry.
Click on the grey rectangles to check your answer.
To rotate the figure, click on the top "\( \triangleright \)".
To change to another figure, click on the bottom "\( \triangleright \)".
Game 1
Rotational symmetry can be found in our daily lives (e.g. in nature) and is often used in Art (e.g. designs).
Below are examples of rotational symmetry that can be found in nature.
Below are examples of rotaional symmetry used in Art (e.g. designs).
Scroll down to the "Exercises" section.
Discussion Questions
The diagram below shows how parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses and squares are related.
A square is both a rectangle and a rhombus.
Rectangles and rhombuses are parallelograms.
We know that:
- A Rectangle has 2 lines of symmetry and a rotational symmetry of order 2.
- A Square has 4 lines of symmetry and a rotational symmetry of order 4.
- How many line of symmetry does a Parallelogram has? And, what is its order of rotational symmetry?
- How many line of symmetry does a Rhombus has? And, what is its order of rotational symmetry?
Instructions
You can earn up to a maximum of 6 bonus points (to be added to your Ace Learning Quiz) for completing the following:
- Please post your answers to the above discussion questions in the comment section below. If the comment section is not displayed, please click on the "comments" link below.
[1 bonus point for posting each of your answer to the discussion questions above]
- Please also comment on at least 2 of your classmates' answers by "replying" to their comments.
[up to 2 bonus points for your reply to each of your classmates' answers]
Lets make this discussion meaningful and fruitful for everyone and learn from each other. ☺
