Identify Lines of Symmetry

In this activity, we will be learning how to spot lines of symmetry in some rather tricky shapes!

Remember: A line of symmetry divides a shape into two matching parts, which will overlap each other exactly when folded along the line of symmetry.

Let's look at two examples.

Example 1

Look at this regular hexagon.

Is line a a line of symmetry?

Answer

When we reflect or fold it in the line a, we get:

This is a match!

Line a is a line of symmetry.

Example 2

Look at this regular hexagon.

Is line b a line of symmetry?

Answer

When we reflect it in the line b, we get:

This is not a match!

Line b is not a line of symmetry.

Of course, a regular hexagon has a total of six lines of symmetry, but not all of them were shown.

Let's have a go at some questions now.