Reflection symmetry

A shape is symmetrical if both sides of it are the same when a mirror line is drawn.

What happens when you fold this shape? Choose a fold line to find out.

If you stood a mirror on this shape and looked at it from each side, what would you see?

Choose a mirror line to find out.

This shape is symmetrical. It has reflection symmetry. It has one line of symmetry.

When you fold a shape along a line of symmetry, one half fits exactly over the other.

When you put a mirror on a line of symmetry and look from either side, the shape looks like the original.

Remember

When you look in a mirror you see your reflection. So it is easy to remember that when a shape has a line of symmetry it has reflection symmetry.

• Line of symmetry: a mirror or fold line.
• Reflection symmetry: when there are one or more lines of symmetry.