Table of Contents
An Introduction to Line of Symmetry in a Rectangle
A line of symmetry in a rectangle is a line that divides the rectangle into two equal halves. The line of symmetry is bisected by the rectangle’s vertical and horizontal axes. All points on the line of symmetry are equidistant from the rectangle’s opposite vertices.
A rectangle is a 4 sided polygon whose two opposite sides are equal and parallel. The angles of a rectangle are always 90 degrees and its diagonals are always equal.
The line of symmetry is perpendicular to the two shorter sides of the rectangle.
A rectangle has 2 lines of symmetry which divides it into two identical parts. A shape can be different types of symmetry, such as linear symmetry, mirror symmetry, reflectional symmetry, and so on. A shape can be two or more lines of symmetry.
To recall, a rectangle is one of the quadrilaterals whose two opposite sides are equal and parallelogram. Thus, a rectangle is also considered as a special parallelogram.
A line of symmetry is a line that divides a figure into two identical halves.
Line of Symmetry of a Rectangle
A rectangle has two lines of symmetry: one vertical and one horizontal. If you fold the rectangle along either of these lines, the two halves will match up perfectly.
Rotational Symmetry of a Rectangle
A rectangle has rotational symmetry around its vertical and horizontal centerlines.
A rectangle has an order of rotational symmetry of 2 at 180° and 360°.
This means a rectangle can map onto itself 2 times during rotation of 360° i.e. at 180° and 360°.
This is in contrast to a square which has rotational symmetry of 4 as it has 4 equal sides.
How Many Lines of Symmetry Does a Rectangle have?
A rectangle has four lines of symmetry.
How Many Lines of Symmetry does a Square have?
A square has four lines of symmetry.
