A rectangle has two lines of symmetry.
Understanding Symmetry
Symmetry, in geometry, refers to the property of a shape remaining unchanged after undergoing a transformation, like reflection or rotation. The line of symmetry acts like a mirror; when a shape is folded along that line, the two halves match perfectly.
Shapes with Two Lines of Symmetry
According to the provided reference, a rectangle is a specific shape that possesses two lines of symmetry. This means that a rectangle can be divided into two identical halves by a line running down its middle in two different ways: one vertically and another horizontally.
- Rectangle: Has two lines of symmetry. One vertical line through the center and one horizontal line through the center.
Comparison with other shapes
It's also useful to consider other shapes and their symmetries:
| Shape | Number of Lines of Symmetry |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | 2 |
| Equilateral Triangle | 3 |
| Square | 4 |
As seen above, not all shapes have the same number of symmetry lines, so the rectangle is a specific shape with exactly two. This knowledge is beneficial in many fields, including math, design, and art.
