Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns | Maths

Starter quiz

This line of symmetry is __________.

horizontal

diagonal ✓

vertical
True or false. This shape has been correctly reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry.

True
False ✓
Which image shows an incorrect reflection?

a)

b) ✓

c)
Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.

pentagons

hexagons ✓

octagons
Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.

trapeziums ✓

parallelograms

pentagons
This shape has been reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry. The new shape is a __________.

rhombus

kite ✓

trapezium

Rectangles have __________ lines of symmetry. Tick all that apply.

horizontal ✓

diagonal

vertical ✓
Both flags have one line of symmetry. In which direction is the line of symmetry?

a)

⇔

vertical ✓

b)

⇔

horizontal ✓
How many lines of symmetry does this flag have?

0 ✓

1

2

4
This flag has ______ lines of symmetry.

'2' ✓
True or false. This pattern has two lines of symmetry.

True
False ✓
Which of the patterns has two lines of symmetry?

a)

b) ✓

c)

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There are lots of real life examples where you can find lines of symmetry, for example in flags.
When a pattern is symmetrical, you can fold along its line of symmetry and the two halves will match exactly.

Children may think that a rectangular flag has diagonal lines of symmetry.

Allow children to cut out and fold the flags to help them see that a rectangle does not have any diagonal lines of symmetry.

Symmetrical - When a shape, pattern or image has two halves that match exactly when folded, it can be described as symmetrical.
Line of symmetry - If you were to fold a shape at its line of symmetry, both halves would match exactly.
Reflect - When you reflect a shape, you flip it over a mirror line or line of symmetry without turning it or changing the size.