Rotational symmetry

The Maths Habit

The arrow points up. Turn it clockwise. Which way does it point now?

1¼ turnright
2½ turndown
3¾ turnleft

Turn each shape upside down. Which ones look the same?

A
B
C
D

A and C. B and D look different upside down.

1
Turn
Spin a shape round a point. We turn it clockwise.
Centre
The point the shape turns round. It is marked ×.
12
Order of rotational symmetry
The number of times a shape fits on itself in one full turn.

  1. 1Mark a corner.
  2. 2Turn a quarter at a time.
  3. 3Does it fit? Tick or cross.
  4. 4Count the ticks.
1¼ turn
1½ turn
1¾ turn
1full turn

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1234
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 4

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1234
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 4

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1234
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 4

Copy each shape onto squared paper. Find its order of rotational symmetry.

112
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 2
21234
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 4
312
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 2
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.

Watch the dot. Does the shape fit after each turn?

1¼ turn
1½ turn
1¾ turn
1full turn

Only after the full turn. Every shape fits after a full turn, so the order is at least 1. It is never 0.

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

12
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 2

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Find the order of rotational symmetry.

1
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order of rotational symmetry 1

Copy each shape onto squared paper. Find its order of rotational symmetry.

11
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 1
212
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 2
31234
¼turn½turn¾turnfullturnfits?
Order 4
121 Mark a corner.2 Turn a quarter at a time.3 Does it fit? Tick or cross.4 Count the ticks.

Is the order right? Thumbs up or thumbs down.

AOrder 2Yes
BOrder 4No: it is order 2
COrder 4Yes
DOrder 0No: it is order 1

Rotational symmetry worksheet, page 1

Rotational symmetry worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

  1. An equilateral triangle has 3 equal sides. What is its order of rotational symmetry?

    3

  2. A regular hexagon has 6 equal sides. What is its order of rotational symmetry?

    6

  3. Write a capital letter with rotational symmetry of order 2.

    S, N, Z or H

  1. Find the order of rotational symmetry. ¼ turn½ turn¾ turnfull turnOrder2

    1

  2. Find the order of rotational symmetry. ¼ turn½ turn¾ turnfull turnOrder4

    1

  3. Find the order of rotational symmetry.

    1
    1
Exit tickets to print