Axis of Symmetry – Symmetrical Figures

Definition – Axis of Symmetry:

A line is drawn from the middle of the figure that acts like a mirror is known as Axis of Symmetry or Linear Symmetry.

The line divides the figure into two symmetrical parts, then figure on one side is the mirror image of the figure on the other side.

Line or axis is also called the Line of Symmetry, and each of the line is called the Axis of symmetry. 

In other words when a figure can be folded along a line, so that one half of the figure matches the other half, then the figure has a symmetry axis. 

It is not necessary that all figures has a line of symmetry or symmetry axis. Now we see different types of figures or pictures with symmetry axes. 

1. Horizontal axes of symmetry  

2.  Vertical axes of symmetry  

3. Vertical and Horizontal axes of symmetry 

4. Infinite axes of symmetry

5. No axis of symmetry

Let’s see the examples of symmetry in different figures and find out the lines of symmetry. 

For example: 

1.             Line segment 

In the below figure there is one line of symmetry. The figure is symmetric along the perpendicular bisector m.    

1. An isosceles triangle has one symmetry axis. 

2. An equilateral triangle has three symmetry axes. 

3. A square has four symmetry axes. 

Example: In below figure symmetry of symbol A is a vertical line, the line divides the figure into two congruent parts, which are the mirror image of each other.