Line Symmetry:

Line symmetry occurs when two halves of a figure are mirror images of each other when reflected across a line (also called reflectional
symmetry).
• The line of symmetry is the line which divides the figure into two mirror images.
• To determine if a figure has line symmetry, fold the figure along the supposed line of symmetry to see if the two halves coincide.
• A figure has a line of symmetry if the figure can be mapped onto itself by a reflection in the line.

A set of points has line symmetry if and only if there is a

line, l, such that the reflection through l of each point in the
set is also a point in the set.

Line symmetry can be observed in a variety of situations:

In Printed Letters: In Geometric Figures: In Function Graphs:
In certain fonts, letters/words possess Certain geometric figures possess line Certain function graphs possess line
line symmetry. symmetry. symmetry.
In Photographs: In Art Work: In Math Symbols:
A photo of a water reflection creates Artists know that symmetric shapes are Certain math symbols, numbers, and
line symmetry. the most pleasing to the eye. answers.
 Plane Symmetry:

If a plane intersects a three dimensional figure such that one half of the figure is the reflected image of the other half, the figure possesses "plane
symmetry". The two halves of the figure are mirror images in the plane. Plane symmetry is the three dimensional version of line symmetry.

Plane symmetry can be observed all around us:

Real objects are never "perfectly" symmetrical as there are always tiny flaws (even at the atomic level) that destroy the notion of "perfect"
symmetry. It is, however, a common practice to refer to a real object as having symmetry if it does so as a whole, apart from minor defects.
In Butterflies: In Flowers: In Architecture:
Biologists call a line of symmetry a Botanists refer to this symmetry as Architects know symmetrical
"bilateral symmetry". "zygomorphic" (bilateral symmetry). shapes are pleasing.

In Packaging: In Food Service: In Life:

Many boxes have plane symmetry, Cones support many delicious confections, Animal (and human) forms possess
in several directions. along with plane bilateral symmetry.
symmetry.
How symmetric are you?
The photos below show the "normal face" in the center. The photo on the left duplicates the left side of the face along its line of symmetry. The
photo on the right duplicates the right side of the face along its line of symmetry.

Duplicate Left Side Normal Face Duplicate Right Side

 The photograph of this young woman's face shows her bilateral symmetry.
Plastic surgeons can repair a damaged human face by reconstructing the symmetry of the former healthy face.
Take a look at Fibonacci Faces, The Beautiful People to see more about facial shapes.

Duplicate Left Side Normal Face Duplicate Right Side

 By not looking directly at the camera, the photograph of this young man's face created a couple of interesting "new" looks.

If you want to see what you would look like if either side of your face was duplicated "exactly", find a photo of yourself looking at the camera.
Hold a mirror perpendicular to your facial line of symmetry on the photo. Look at your "new" self in the mirror.

Or, you can use your computer to cut apart your photo.
Paint Shop Pro Adobe Photoshop MS Photo Draw
(1) Open your photo and save it (1) Open your photo and save it under a (1) Open your photo and save it
under a new name so as not to new name so as not to damage your under a new name so as not to
damage your original photo. original photo. damage your original photo.
(2) Use your selection tool to (2) Use the RECTANGULAR (2) Select CROP SIZE, Cut Out,
outline one side (half) of the photo. MARQUEE TOOL to select one side square shape.
(3) Under IMAGE, choose (half) of the photo. (3) Outline half of the photo passing
MIRROR. (3) EDIT / COPY. through center of face. Choose
 (4) Drag the new image so it will (4) EDIT / PASTE. COPY.
create a new face. (5) Use the MOVE TOOL to position the (4) PASTE new image twice.
(5) CROP your new image, and half of the photo over the right half. (5) Choose one, pick Arrange, Flip
(6) SAVE the photo. (6) Select IMAGE / ROTATE / FLIP Horizontal.
(7) Repeat the process for the other LAYER HORIZONTAL to flip the other (6) Move halves together.
side of the face. half. (7) Repeat the process for the other
(7) Use the BLUR TOOL to soften the side of the face.
vertical line in the middle.
(8) SAVE the photo.
(9) Repeat the process for the other side
of the face.

Point Symmetry:

Point symmetry exists when a figure is built around a single point called the center of the figure. For every point in the figure, there is another
point found directly opposite it on the other side of the center, at the same distance from the center.
• in a point symmetry, the center point is the midpoint of every segment formed by joining a point to its image.
• a figure has point symmetry if when turned upside-down it looks the same.
• a figure with point symmetry will appear the same after a 180 degree rotation.
• point symmetry is a special form of rotational symmetry of Order 2.

Observing Point symmetry:

 Some fonts create letters and words The two of spades has point
with point symmetry. symmetry. It looks the same right-
side up or upside-down.

Points A and B are reflected through

the center point.
The center point becomes the midpoint
of the segments from A to A', and
from B to B'.

Rotational Symmetry:

A geometric figure has rotational symmetry if the figure is the image of itself under a rotation about a point through an angle whose measure is
strictly between 0º and 360º. The angles of 0º and 360º are excluded since they represent the original position (nothing new happens). The angles
of rotational symmetry will be factors of 360.
• The number of positions in which the object looks exactly the same is called the order of the symmetry.
• When determining order, the last rotation returns the object to its original position (360º).
• The angles of 0º and 360º are not listed as they are the starting locations.
• Order 1 implies no true rotational symmetry exists, since a full 360 degree rotation is needed to again display the object with its original
appearance.
• Order 2 implies a duplicate image at a rotation of 180º (splitting 360º into 2 equal parts).
• Order 3 implies a duplicate image at 120º and 240º (splitting 360º into 3 equal parts).
• Order 4 implies a duplicate image at 90º, 180º, and 270º (splitting 360º into 4 equal parts).
And so on ...

Order 2: Order 3: Order 4:

Triskelion on the Isle of Man flag.

Order 5: Order 6: Grid Pattern: (order 4)

 Botanists refer to this as "radial A 780 ft.' crop circle in a double
symmetry". triskelion
Pattern.

A translation moves ("slides") an object a fixed distance in

a given direction without changing its size or shape, and
without turning it or flipping it.
• The original object is called the pre-image, and the
translation is called the image.
• The image is usually labeled using a prime symbol, such
as A'B'C'.
• Translations may be described by their movement, such
as 5 units to the right and 2 units down.
• An object and its translation have the same shape and size, and face in the same direction.
• In Latin, the word "translate" means "carried across".
Translations can be seen, in a variety of situations:
(←) Translations can be
seen in nature. The hexagonal
sections of a honeycomb are
the same size, the same shape
and face in the same direction.
(→) As you go down
a slide, you are
undergoing a translation.
You are moving a given
distance in a given
direction. You do not
change your size, shape
or the direction in which
you are facing
(hopefully!).
Certain patterns of musical Seats in a stadium are the
notes are often repeated The artist M. C. same size, the same shape,
(translated) within a Escher continually used and face in the same
composition. translations, reflections, and direction.
rotations in his famous art
works. To see the works of M.
C. Escher, visit
 http://www.mcescher.com.

Translations in the coordinate plane:

Translation 6 units right:
Notice how each vertex moves the same distance in the
same direction. All three vertices (A, B and C) are moved 6
units horizontally to the right.

If you move horizontally 6 units to the right, 6 is added to

the x-coordinate of each of the vertices.

Translation 6 units to the right.

(x, y) → (x + 6, y)
6 units left, 3 units up:
Be sure you notice where the original figure, ABCD, is
located. In this graph, ABCD is on the right.

Each vertex of ABCD is moved 6 units to the left, and then 3

units up.

Translation 6 units left and 3 units up.

(x, y) → (x - 6, y + 3)
 Reflections are FLIPS!!
A reflection can be thought of as folding or "flipping"
an object over the line of reflection.
• The original object is called the pre-image, and the
reflection is called the image.
• The image is usually labeled using a prime symbol,
such as A'B'C'.
• An object and its reflection have the same shape and
size, but the figures face in opposite directions. The
objects appear as if they are mirror reflections, with
right and left reversed.

A reflection can be seen, for example, in water, a mirror, or in a shiny surface. Take a look at the following
reflections.
Reflection in Water Reflection in a Mirror Reflection in Shiny Surface
Reflections in the coordinate plane:
Reflect over the x-axis: When you reflect a point across the x-axis, the x-coordinate
remains the same, but the y-coordinate is transformed into its
opposite (its sign is changed).

If you forget the rules for reflections when graphing, simply

fold your paper along the x-axis (the line of reflection) to see
where the new figure will be located.

Or you can measure how far your points are away from the x-
axis to locate the new points, such as B is 4 vertical units above
the x-axis, so B' will be 4 vertical units below the x-axis.

The reflection of the point (x,y) across

the x-axis is the point (x,-y).
Reflect over the y-axis:
When you reflect a point across the y-axis, the y-coordinate
remains the same, but the x-coordinate is transformed into its
opposite (its sign is changed).

Notice that B is 5 horizontal units to the right of the y-axis,

and B' is 5 horizontal units to the left of the y-axis.

The reflection of the point (x,y) across

 the y-axis is the point (-x,y).

Reflect over y = x: When you reflect a point across the line y = x, the x-coordinate
and y-coordinate change places. If you reflect over the line
y = -x, the x-coordinate and y-coordinate change places and are
negated (the signs are changed).

The reflection of the point (x,y) across

the line y = x is the point (y, x).

The reflection of the point (x,y) across

 the line y = -x is the point (-y, -x).

Reflect over any line:

Remember that each point of a reflected image is the same
distance from the line of reflection as the corresponding point
of the original figure. The line of reflection will lie directly in
the middle between the original figure and its image.

Notice that each point of the original figure

and its image are the same distance away
from the line of reflection. You may be able
to simply "count" these distances on the grid.
A small plastic device, called a Mira™ , can be used
when working with line reflections. The Mira is
placed on the line of reflection and the original
object is reflected in the plastic. By looking through
the plastic, you can see what the reflection will look
like on the other side and you can trace it with your
pencil.

Reflection in a Point:
A point reflection exists when a figure is built around a single
point called the center of the figure, or point of reflection. For
every point in the figure, there is another point found directly
opposite it on the other side of the center such that the point of
reflection becomes the midpoint of the segment joining the point
with its image. Under a point reflection, figures do not change
size or shape.
While any point in the coordinate plane may be used as a point of reflection, the most commonly used point is
the origin. Assume that the origin is the point of reflection unless told otherwise.

Reflect in origin (0,0):

Triangle A'B'C' is the image of triangle ABC after a point
reflection in the origin.

Imagine a straight line connecting A to A' where the origin is

the midpoint of the segment.

When you reflect a point in the origin, both the x-coordinate

and the y-coordinate are negated (their signs are changed).

In a point reflection in the origin, the image

of the point (x,y) is the point (-x,-y).
A rotation is a transformation that turns a figure
about a fixed point called the center of rotation.
• An object and its rotation are the same shape and
size, but the figures may be turned in different
directions.
• Rotations may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

When working in the coordinate plane:

• assume the center of rotation to be
the origin unless told otherwise.
The triangle is rotated about P. The letters used to label
• assume a positive angle of rotation turns the the triangle have not been rotated.
figure counterclockwise, and a negative angle turns
the figure clockwise (unless told otherwise).

Rotations can be seen, in a variety of situations:

The Earth Windmills Pinwheel
The Earth experiences one The blades on windmills convert A children's toy that rotates
complete rotation on its axis the energy of wind into rotational when blown.
every 24 hours. energy.
 Amusement Park Swing Ferris Wheel Merry-Go-Round
Amusement park rides, such as Ferris wheels rotate about a center hub. On the merry-go-round, riders
the swing, allow you to (Yes, the seats tilt to prevent become part of the rotation
become part of a rotation. falling.) about the center of the ride.

Rotations centered at the origin: Rotations in the coordinate plane are

Rotation of 90º: (x,y) becomes (-y,x) counterclockwise.
Remembe Clockwise: Counterclockwis
Rotation of 180º: (x,y) becomes (-x,-y) r: e:
 Rotation of 270º: (x,y) becomes (y,-x)

When working with rotations, you should be able to

recognize angles of certain sizes. Popular angles
include 30º (one third of a right angle), 45º (half of a
right angle), 90º (a right angle), 180º, 270º and 360º.

You should also understand the directionality of a unit

circle (a circle with a radius length of 1 unit). Notice
that the degree movement on a unit circle goes in a
counterclockwise direction, the same direction as the
numbering of the quadrants: I, II, III, IV. Keep this
picture in mind when working with rotations on a
coordinate grid.

Rotations in the coordinate plane:

Keep in mind that rotations on a coordinate grid are considered to be counterclockwise, unless otherwise stated.
While most rotations will be centered at the origin, the center of rotation will be indicated in the problem (or in the
notation).

Rotation 90º: Starting with ΔABC, draw the rotation of 90º centered at the
origin. (The rotation is counterclockwise.)

To "see" that this is a rotation of 90º, imagine

 point B attached to the red arrow. The red arrow is then
moved 90º (notice the 90º angle formed by the two red
arrows). Look at the new position of point B, labeled B'. This
same approach can be used for all three vertices.

Rotation of 90º on coordinate axes.

Centered at origin.
(x, y) → (-y, x)

Rotation 180º: Starting with ΔABC, draw the rotation of 180º centered at the
origin. (The rotation is counterclockwise.)

As we did in the previous example, imagine point B attached to

the red arrow from the center (0,0). The arrow is then moved
180º (which forms a straight line). Notice the new position of B,
labeled B'.

Rotation of 180º on coordinate axes.

Centered at origin.
(x, y) → (-x, -y)
(same as point reflection in origin)
Rotation 270º: Starting with quadrilateral ABCD, draw the rotation of 270º
centered at the origin. (The rotation is counterclockwise.)

As we did in the previous examples, imagine point A attached

to the red arrow from the center (0,0). The arrow is then moved
270º (counterclockwise). Notice the new position of A,
labeled A'. Since A was "on" the axis, A' is also on the axis.

Rotation of 270º on coordinate axes.

 Centered at orign.
(x, y) → (y, -x )

If the rotation angles are giving you

trouble, imagine a unit circle with a
movable "bug" on a radial arm from
the origin. Swing the "bug" around
and look at the angle created by the
move, and the position of the "bug".
A dilation is a transformation that produces an image
that is the same shape as the original, but is a different
size.
• A dilation that creates a larger image is called
an enlargement.
• A dilation that creates a smaller image is called
a reduction.
• A description of a dilation includes the scale factor (or ratio) and the center of the dilation.
• The center of dilation is a fixed point in the plane.
• If the scale factor is greater than 1, the image is an enlargement. It expands.
• If the scale factor is between 0 and 1, the image is a reduction. It contracts.
• If the scale factor is 1, the figure and the image are the exact same size (congruent).

The word "dilate" is often heard in relation to the human eye.

"The pupils of the eyes were dilated."
As light hits the eye, the pupil enlarges or contracts depending upon the
amount of light.

Dilations can be seen, in a variety of situations:

Photography Arts and Crafts Graphing Calculator
School or holiday picture Russian nesting dolls are a set of The zoom feature will enlarge or
 packages offer the same wooden dolls of decreasing size reduce the viewing window.
photograph in a variety of sizes, placed inside one another. After
from large to medium to small the smallest doll, each doll is an
wallet size photos. enlargement of its inside doll.

Food Service Logos Grow Toys

Soft drink containers come in a Product logos can come in a Grow toys are sponge/foam toys
variety of sizes. While some are variety of sizes, such as these that "grow" when placed in water.
of different shapes, others are pizza shop logos on their small, Some grow quickly, while others
simply enlargements. medium and large boxes. grow over several days.
Dilations in the coordinate plane:
Most dilations in the coordinate plane use the origin, (0,0), as the center of the dilation. The center of the dilation
will be indicated within the problem (or within the notation).

Dilation scale factor 2:

Starting with ΔABC, draw the dilation image of the triangle
with a center at the origin and a scale factor of two.

Notice that every coordinate of the original triangle has been

multiplied by the scale factor (x2).

Dilations involve multiplication!

Dilation with scale factor 2, multiply by 2.

Center at the origin.
(x, y) → (2x,2y)

Dilation scale factor ½:

Starting with quadrilateral ABCD (blue), draw the dilation
image of the quadrilateral with a center at the origin and a scale
factor of ½.
 Notice that every coordinate of the original ABCD has been
multiplied by ½.

Dilation with scale factor ½, multiply by ½.

Center at the origin.
(x, y) → (½x, ½y )
REMINDER: Multiplying by ½ is the same as dividing by 2.

In this problem, the center of the dilation is NOT at the origin.

Dilation not at origin: Starting with rectangle ABCD (green), draw the dilation image
of the rectangle with the center of dilation at point A and a scale
factor of 1/3
Notice that point A and its image are the same.
You must observe the distances from the center of the dilation
at point A to the other points B, C and D. The dilation image
will be 1/3 of each of these distances.
AB = 6, so A'B' = 2.
AD = 9, so A'D' = 3. Now, draw the image rectangle.
FYI:
 For a dilation not at the origin,
measure the distances.

Dilations and Similarity:

The term similar (or similarity) can be defined using the language of transformations.

Two figures are similar if one is the image of the other under a
transformation from the plane into itself that multiplies all
distances by the same positive scale factor. That is to say, one
figure is a dilation of the other.
( Or, ΔABC is a dilation of ΔDEF by a scale factor of ½.)
 A quick review of transformations in the coordinate plane.
("Isometry" is another term for "rigid transformation".)

Line Reflections
Remember that a reflection is simply a flip. Under a reflection, the figure does not change size
(it is an isometry). It is simply flipped over the line of reflection. The orientation (lettering of
the diagram) is reversed.

When you reflect a point across the x-axis, the x-coordinate

remains the same, but the y-coordinate is transformed into its
opposite.
Reflection in the x-axis: or
When working with the graph of y = f (x), replace y with -y.

When you reflect a point across the y-axis, the y-coordinate

remains the same, but the x-coordinate is transformed into its
opposite.
Reflection in the y-axis: or
When working with the graph of y = f (x), replace x with -x.

When you reflect a point across the line y = x, the x-coordinate

Reflection in y = x: and the y-coordinate change places.
or
 When you reflect a point across the line y = -x, the x-coordinate
and the y-coordinate change places and are negated (the signs are
Reflection in y = -x: changed).
or

Point Reflections
A point reflection exists when a figure is built around a single point called the center of the
figure. For every point in the figure, there is another point found directly opposite it on the
other side of the center. The figure does not change size (it is an isometry).

While any point in the coordinate plane may be used as a point of

reflection, the most commonly used point is the origin.
or
Reflection in the Origin: When working with the graph of y = f (x), replace x with -x
and y with -y.
 Rotations
A rotation turns a figure through an angle about a fixed point called the center.
The center of rotation is assumed to be the origin, unless stated otherwise. A positive angle
of rotation turns the figure counterclockwise, and a negative angle of rotation turns the figure
in a clockwise direction. The figure does not change size (it is an isometry).

Rotation of 90º:
Rotation of 180º: (same as reflection in origin)

Rotation of 270º:

Dilations
A dilation is a transformation that produces an image that is the same shape as the original, but is
a different size (the figures are similar). The description of a dilation includes the scale factor
and the center of the dilation. A dilation "shrinks" or "stretches" a figure (it is not an isometry).
 The center of a dilation is most often the origin, O. It may
however, be some other point in the coordinate plane which will
Dilation of scale factor k: be specified.

Translations
A translation "slides" an object a fixed distance in a given direction. The original object and its translation have
the same shape and size (isometry), and they face in the same direction.

Under the image of y = f (x) is y = f (x - h) + k..

Translation of h, k: If h > 0, the original graph is shifted h units to the right.
If h < 0, the original graph is shifted | h | units to the left.
If k > 0, the original graph is shifted k units up.
If k < 0, the original graph is shifted | k | units down.
Directions: Read carefully.

1. If the alphabet were printed in simple block

printing,
a) which capital letters would have horizontal line
symmetry?

b) which capital letters would have both

horizontal and vertical line symmetry?

Answer to Question #1

a) Capital letters with horizontal line symmetry:

BCDEHIKOX
b) Capital letters with both horizontal and vertical line symmetry:
HIOX
2. Which of the following words possesses point
symmetry?
Choose:
DAD MOM ION NOON

3. What order of rotational symmetry does the

regular polygon at the right possess?
Choose:
8 2 6 4
4. In the diagram at the right, the
trapezoid is reflected over line m.
Find the numerical values of x,
y and z.

Solution

Answer to Question #4

2x = 12
x=6
2y + 2= 12
2y = 10
y=5
4z - 2 = 14
4z = 16
z=4
5. The diagram at the right can be described
as an example of which of the following
transformations?
Choose:
rotation
reflection
translation
dilation
6. Under a dilation, the Surf Mummy
poster was reduced in size from 36
inches, in width, to 27 inches, in
width. What was the scale factor of
this dilation?

Choose:
0.25 0.75 4/3 5/4

7. Triangle ABC can be described as

having been:
Choose:
dilated by a scale factor of 2.
rotated 90º clockwise.
translated 3 units left.
rotated 90º counterclockwise
8. Jason takes a selfie with his sister. He has a
rectangular photograph made of dimensions 10
inches (width) by 14 inches (length) as a gift
for his parents. His sister has wallet-sized
photos with a width of 2.5 inches made of the
same photograph.
a) Which of the following choices will be the
length of the wallet-sized photos?
Choose:
2.8 inches 2 inches
3 inches 3.5 inches
b) Which of the following mathematical terms does not describe the
relationship between Jason's photograph and his sister's photos?
Choose:
reflection dilation similar
9. Which of the following transformations creates an
image that is similar (but not congruent) to the pre-
image?

Choose:
translation rotation
dilation reflection

10. Which of the following will produce the same

result as a rotation of 270º counterclockwise?
Choose:
A translation to the left and down.
A reflection about a horizontal line.
A dilation of scale factor 9.
A rotation of 90º clockwise.