Axis of symmetry is a line that divides an object into two equal halves, thereby creating a mirror-like reflection of either side of the object.
For example,
Consider an isosceles triangle. That is a triangle in which two sides are equal. A line drawn as shown below divides the triangle into two parts, such that both the parts match when they are folded along the line. This line is the axis of symmetry.
If the axis of symmetry is a vertical line, it is known as the Vertical axis of symmetry and when it is a horizontal line, is it known as the Horizontal axis of symmetry.
How many axes of symmetry can a shape have?
A shape can have one or more than one axis of symmetry.
We have already seen that an isosceles triangle has one axis of symmetry. Let us look at some shapes that have more than one axis of symmetry.
- A rectangle has two axes of symmetry, a horizontal axis of symmetry and vertical
Though the diagonals of a rectangle also divide it into two equal parts, they are not its axes of symmetry because if a rectangle is folded along its diagonal, the parts do not overlap exactly.
- A square has four axes of symmetry. It has a horizontal as well as a vertical axis of Also, its two diagonals are also the axes of symmetry because when a square is folded along the diagonal, the parts overlap each other.
- A regular hexagon, which is a closed figure with six equal sides and six equal angles, has six axes of symmetry.
- A circle has infinite axes of symmetry. Any line passing through the centre of the circle is its axis of symmetry. The two parts formed by the lines will always overlap each other perfectly along that
What is Symmetry?
Mathematically, symmetry means that a shape becomes exactly like another when it is folded along the axes of symmetry, that is, the two parts will overlap each other. Such shapes are known as Symmetrical shapes.