how many lines of symmetry does a rectangle have?
http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/symmetry-line-plane-shapes.html
To determine the number of lines of symmetry a rectangle has, we can follow these steps:
1. Understand the concept of symmetry: Symmetry is the balanced and identical arrangement of parts on either side of a dividing line or plane. In simpler terms, an object is symmetrical if it can be divided into two equal halves that mirror each other.
2. Visualize a rectangle: A rectangle is a quadrilateral with four sides and four right angles. The opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length, and the adjacent sides are perpendicular to each other.
3. Identify potential lines of symmetry: To find the lines of symmetry in a rectangle, imagine folding it along different lines and checking if the two halves (formed by the fold) are identical.
- Fold #1: Folding the rectangle along its vertical axis (line passing through the midpoints of the top and bottom sides). It creates two congruent halves that are mirror images of each other.
- Fold #2: Folding the rectangle along its horizontal axis (line passing through the midpoints of the left and right sides). Once again, it produces two congruent halves that mirror each other.
4. Count the lines of symmetry: Based on the folding tests, we discovered two lines of symmetry – one passing vertically and another passing horizontally through the rectangle.
Therefore, a rectangle has two lines of symmetry.