**What is Symmetry?** A figure is symmetrical when parts of it repeat in a definite pattern. The part on one side of a line mirrors the other side perfectly.
**Line of Symmetry Definition:** A line that divides a figure into two parts that match exactly when folded. Both halves are mirror images.
**Lines of Symmetry by Shape:**
**Reflection Symmetry:** When you fold along a line of symmetry, the part on one side reflects (mirrors) onto the other side perfectly.
**Key Rule:** Non-square rectangles do NOT have diagonal lines of symmetry — fold test proves this.
**Making Symmetric Shapes:** Fold paper, cut or punch holes, unfold to create symmetric patterns automatically.
**Diagrams to Remember:** Fold lines become lines of symmetry; points A and B swap positions when reflected.
**Don't Confuse:** Rotational symmetry (like rangoli rotating 90°) is different from line symmetry (mirror folding). This chapter focuses on line symmetry only.
Q1. A line that divides a figure into two parts that exactly overlap when folded is called a _____ of symmetry.
Answer: A — A line of symmetry is the technical term for the fold line where two identical mirror halves meet.
Q2. How many lines of symmetry does a square have?
Answer: C — A square has 4 lines of symmetry: one vertical, one horizontal, and two through opposite corners (diagonals).
Q3. Which of these shapes has only 2 lines of symmetry?
Answer: B — A non-square rectangle has exactly 2 lines of symmetry: vertical and horizontal, but the diagonals are NOT lines of symmetry.
Q4. In an ink blot activity, you fold paper, add ink, and unfold. What do you get?
Answer: B — The fold line becomes the line of symmetry, so the ink pattern on one half is mirrored perfectly on the other half.
Q5. Is the diagonal of a rectangle (that is not a square) a line of symmetry?
Answer: B — When you fold a non-square rectangle along its diagonal, the two parts do not match perfectly, so it is not a line of symmetry.
Q6. Which Indian structure shows clear line symmetry when viewed from the front?
Answer: C — The Taj Mahal has vertical line symmetry with its dome and building design mirrored on both sides.
Q7. When you fold a square piece of paper along its diagonal and unfold it, the crease is a line of symmetry. How many such diagonal lines of symmetry can a square have?
Answer: B — A square has 2 diagonal lines of symmetry: one from corner A to corner C, and another from corner B to corner D.
Q8. Which of the following figures has NO line of symmetry?
Answer: C — Clouds are asymmetrical—there is no line along which you can fold a cloud to get two identical mirror halves.
Q9. In the paper folding and cutting activity, you fold paper twice (once vertically, once horizontally) and make one cut. When you unfold, how many copies of your cut shape appear due to symmetry?
Answer: C — Two folds create two lines of symmetry (vertical and horizontal), so the cut shape is mirrored in all 4 quadrants when unfolded.
Q10. A butterfly has a body with one wing on the left and one on the right. The left wing is a mirror image of the right wing. This means the butterfly has _____ line(s) of symmetry.
Answer: B — A butterfly has exactly 1 vertical line of symmetry running down its body, with the left and right wings being mirror images.
What is a line of symmetry?
A line that cuts a figure into two parts that exactly overlap when the figure is folded along that line.
How many lines of symmetry does a square have?
A square has 4 lines of symmetry: one vertical, one horizontal, and two diagonal lines.
How many lines of symmetry does a rectangle (not a square) have?
A rectangle has 2 lines of symmetry: one vertical and one horizontal, but NOT along the diagonals.
Is the diagonal of a non-square rectangle a line of symmetry?
No, when you fold a rectangle along its diagonal, the two halves do not overlap exactly.
What is reflection symmetry?
When one side of a figure is the mirror image of the other side, reflected across a line of symmetry.
Name two Indian structures that have line symmetry.
Taj Mahal (dome and building design) and gopurams (temple towers) both show left-right mirror symmetry.
What happens when you fold paper along a line of symmetry and cut it?
When you unfold the paper, the cut-out pattern appears symmetrically on both sides of the fold line.
Does a cloud have line symmetry?
No, clouds do not have line symmetry because there is no line that divides them into two identical mirror halves.
How many lines of symmetry does a butterfly have?
A butterfly has 1 line of symmetry running vertically down the middle of its body.
What is the difference between a symmetrical figure and an asymmetrical figure?
A symmetrical figure has at least one line of symmetry where two parts are mirror halves, while an asymmetrical figure has no such line.
What is a line of symmetry? Give one example from your daily life. [1 mark]
Define as a fold line dividing a figure into two identical mirror halves. Example: butterfly wings, your face, or a rangoli design.
How many lines of symmetry does a square have? Name them or draw and label them. [2 marks]
List 4 lines: vertical, horizontal, and two diagonals. A diagram showing all 4 fold lines is helpful.
Why is the diagonal of a rectangle (not a square) NOT a line of symmetry? Explain with a folding test. [3 marks]
Fold a rectangle along its diagonal. The two halves do not overlap exactly because the rectangle has unequal sides. Compare this to a square where the diagonal IS a line of symmetry.
Describe the ink blot activity step by step. Explain why the resulting pattern has a line of symmetry and identify where this line is located. [5 marks]
Steps: fold paper, add ink to one half, press and open. The fold line is the line of symmetry. Every point on the left is mirrored on the right. Include a simple sketch showing the fold line and symmetric pattern.
True or False: A cloud is a symmetric figure. Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]
False — there is no line along which you can fold a cloud to get two identical mirror halves. Clouds are asymmetrical and have no line of symmetry.
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