Line Symmetry: video, quizzes, and online jigsaw puzzle

Last updated: 22 March 2010

Symmetry is covered in different subjects, for example, mathematics, science, technology, and humanities, but for the majority of us, the most familar form of understanding symmetry is geometrical symmetry. Within geometrical symmetry, there are also different types, the most familiar being line symmetry and rotational symmetry.

This post will deal only with 2-dimensional line symmetry.

If we draw an imaginary line across an object, and one side of it is the mirror image of the other, the object is said to have line symmetry; this imaginary line is called the 'line of symmetry'. Line symmetry is also known as reflection symmetry, mirror symmetry, mirror-image symmetry and bilateral symmetry.

Some objects, such as a butterfly, have only one line of symmetry; others have more than one.

We can see many examples of symmetry around us every day, for example, animals, traffic signs, cars, buildings and, of course, the human form itself.

Watch this video on symmetry by clicking on the image below. Due to copyrights issues, I am unable to embed the video here, but when you click on the image you will be directed to the video on Youtube.

Put your knowledge of symmetry to the test with this activity on geometric shapes. Click here to begin.

And now, try this quiz. Your email is required; you will get the results together with the corrections sent to you. Click here to begin.

And if you enjoy a jigsaw puzzle challenge, try this 60-piece Taj Mahal puzzle. Click here to begin.

When you've done all the activities, please come back here to comment. Thanks. Have fun learning!

Practise axial and radial symmetrical drawing online on this site. It's in Spanish though.