Rotating and Reflecting Figures Onto Themselves

Topic:
Geometry

Instructions

Below are 3 different figures - a parallelogram, a trapezoid, and a pentagon. Using the toolbar at the top of each figure, draw the line(s) of symmetry if the figure has one. Experiment with reflecting the figure over those lines. The toolbar can also be used to rotate the figure. Put a point in the center of the figure and rotate n degrees around that point to determine if the figure can be mapped back onto itself.

Figure 1

Question 1a

How many lines of symmetry does the parallelogram have? Were you able to reflect it onto itself? Explain what happened.

Question 1b

Describe how you found the center of the parallelogram.

Question 1c

How many degrees does it take to rotate the parallelogram onto itself?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Figure 2

Question 2a

How many lines of symmetry does the trapezoid have?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 2b

Were you able to rotate the trapezoid so it was mapped onto itself? Explain why or why not.

Figure 3

Question 3a

Describe how you found the center of the pentagon.

Question 3b

How many lines of symmetry does the pentagon have?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 3c

How many degrees does it take to rotate the pentagon back onto itself? Explain any patterns you see.