Rotational Symmetry Worksheets

What is Rotational Symmetry? A figure has rotational symmetry when it is rotated between 0 degrees to 360 degrees, and the image stays aligned with the pre-image. Or to put in simpler terms, a shape has rotational symmetry when it looks the same even after rotation. Many shapes like rectangles, circles, squares, and regular polygons have rotational symmetry. Select any of these shapes and rotate it at 180 degrees around its center. The shape will look the same as it did before. The center of the shape is the point around which rotational symmetry occurs. Also, the angle of rotational symmetry is the smallest angle for which the figure is rotated to match with itself. Order of symmetry is defined as the number of times the figure matches with itself when rotated at 360 degrees.
Rotational Symmetry Example
The figure shown above has an order of 5. That means that you can turn the figure 5 times around the specific point. Even after being rotated 5 times, the figure will look the same as they did before they were rotated. Note that 2 would be the smallest order of symmetry. You cannot have a figure that has an order of rotation of 1. An order of 1 would mean that the figure doesn’t have rotational symmetry.

  • Basic Lesson

    Guides students through identifying rotational symmetry. An object has rotational symmetry if the center point around which the object is rotated to a certain number of degrees, the object looks the same. 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.

    View worksheet
  • Intermediate Lesson

    Demonstrates how to correlate rotational symmetry with position and order. This figure has rotational symmetry. The figure is the image of itself under a rotation at 180 degree. Order is 1. Yes. There is rotational symmetry with order 1.

    View worksheet
  • Independent Practice 1

    A really great activity for allowing students to understand the concepts of the Rotational Symmetry.

    View worksheet
  • Independent Practice 2

    Students determine the Rotational Symmetry in 20 assorted problems. The answers can be found below.

    View worksheet
  • Homework Worksheet

    Students are provided with 12 problems to achieve the concepts of Rotational Symmetry.

    View worksheet
  • Skill Quiz

    This tests the students ability to understand Rotational Symmetry.

    View worksheet
  • Answer Key

    Answers for the homework and quiz.

    View worksheet
  • Answer Key Part 2

    Answers for lessons and both practice sheets.

    View worksheet

Question:

What geometrical shape forms the hole that fits an Allen wrench?

Answer:
The hexagon