Symmetry & position
Symmetry, position and movement
A symmetrical shape has two halves that match along a line of symmetry. We can also say where things are and how they move — left, right, up, down, and whole, half and quarter turns.
Lines of symmetry
A line of symmetry splits a shape into two matching halves. If you fold along the line, the halves sit exactly on top of each other. This line is also called the mirror line.
Reflection
When you look in a mirror you see a reflection. A reflection is the same shape, flipped over. Both sides of the line of symmetry look the same.
Position and direction
We use words like left, right, up, down, forwards and backwards to say where something is or which way to move. The opposite of left is right, and the opposite of up is down.
Turns
When you turn, you can make a whole turn (all the way around), a half turn (halfway) or a quarter turn (a quarter of the way). Turning the same way as a clock's hands is clockwise; the other way is anticlockwise.
Worked examples
Lines of symmetry in a square
- Fold the square top to bottom — the halves match.
- Fold it side to side — they match too.
- It folds and matches 4 ways in all.
Answer: A square has 4 lines of symmetry.
Reflecting a shape
- Put a mirror on the line of symmetry.
- Look at the reflection in the mirror.
- The reflection is the same shape, flipped over.
Answer: You see the mirror image — the reflection.
Turning left and right
- You are facing forwards.
- Make a quarter turn to the right.
- Now you are facing to your right.
Answer: A quarter turn to the right makes you face right.
How many quarter turns in a whole turn
- A whole turn goes all the way around.
- Count the quarters: quarter, half, three-quarters, whole.
- Four quarters fit inside a whole turn.
Answer: 4 quarter turns make one whole turn.
Where you see this in real life
- Folding paper in half to cut out a symmetrical heart.
- A butterfly with matching wings on both sides.
- Turning left or right when you are walking.
- The hands of a clock turning clockwise.
Key words
- Symmetry
- When both sides of a line look exactly the same.
- Line of symmetry
- A line that splits a shape into two matching halves.
- Mirror line
- Another name for a line of symmetry.
- Reflection
- The mirror image of a shape — the same shape flipped over.
- Whole turn
- A turn all the way around.
- Half turn
- A turn halfway around, to face the opposite way.
- Quarter turn
- A turn one quarter of the way around.
- Clockwise
- Turning the same way as the hands of a clock.
- Anticlockwise
- Turning the opposite way to the hands of a clock.