How To Find Lines Of Symmetry

A line of symmetry, a basic geometric concept, divides a shape into two identical sections. Teachers introduce the basic concept as early as elementary school, and high school and even college geometry classes employ symmetry. Finding a line of symmetry can be useful in designing objects from greeting cards to landscaping projects.

Step 1

Look for a midpoints in the shape. If you are considering a larger area like a yard, measure the area and draw it to scale on a piece of graph paper to look for midpoints.

Step 2

Use a ruler to draw a straight line from the estimated midpoint through the shape.

Step 3

Fold the shape in half to see if both sides match. If they do match, you have found a line of symmetry.

Step 4

Check all the angles of a shape (if it contains angles) to look for all possible lines of symmetry.

Step 5

Hold a small mirror perpendicular to a possible line of symmetry. If the shape in the mirror matches the shape on the paper, you have found a correct line of symmetry.