Let's solve the
"Line of Symmetry" worksheet step by step and explain each answer.
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Understanding the Task:
We are asked to determine how many
lines of symmetry each shape has. A
line of symmetry is a line that divides a shape into two identical halves, such that one half is the mirror image of the other.
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Example Given:
- A
square has
4 lines of symmetry.
- 2 diagonals
- 1 vertical line through the middle
- 1 horizontal line through the middle
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Now let’s go through each shape:
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1. Rectangle
- A rectangle has
2 lines of symmetry:
- One vertical line through the center (divides left and right)
- One horizontal line through the center (divides top and bottom)
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✔ Answer: 2
>
✘ Not 4 like a square — because the diagonals are not lines of symmetry in a rectangle unless it's a square.
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2. Regular Hexagon
- A regular hexagon (6 equal sides) has
6 lines of symmetry:
- 3 lines through opposite vertices
- 3 lines through the midpoints of opposite sides
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✔ Answer: 6
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3. Regular Triangle (Equilateral Triangle)
- An equilateral triangle has
3 lines of symmetry:
- Each line goes from a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side (also called medians, which are also altitudes and angle bisectors)
-
✔ Answer: 3
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4. Kite
- A kite has
1 line of symmetry:
- Only along the axis that goes through the two opposite angles where the unequal sides meet (the longer diagonal).
- The other diagonal does
not create symmetry.
-
✔ Answer: 1
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5. Rhombus
- A rhombus has
2 lines of symmetry:
- Both diagonals act as lines of symmetry (they split the rhombus into two congruent triangles).
- Note: This is only true for a rhombus (all sides equal), not a general parallelogram.
-
✔ Answer: 2
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6. Regular Star Shape (5-pointed star)
- This is a
regular pentagram (a 5-pointed star formed by connecting every other vertex of a regular pentagon).
- It has
5 lines of symmetry:
- Each line goes from a point of the star to the midpoint of the opposite side (or "valley").
-
✔ Answer: 5
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✔ Final Answers:
1. Rectangle →
2
2. Regular Hexagon →
6
3. Regular Triangle →
3
4. Kite →
1
5. Rhombus →
2
6. Regular Star →
5
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📝 Summary Table:
| Shape | Lines of Symmetry |
|-------------------|-------------------|
| Rectangle | 2 |
| Regular Hexagon | 6 |
| Regular Triangle | 3 |
| Kite | 1 |
| Rhombus | 2 |
| Regular Star | 5 |
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Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of lines of symmetry worksheet.
