Mathematics is much more than finding sums, differences, products, and quotients. Mathematics is a way of looking at the world. As a mathematician, you view the world looking for regularity and order or the lack of order and regularity.

Line Symmetry is also know as Bilateral Symmetry

We are surrounded by all types of symmetry, a type of regularity and order--in nature, in architecture, in art and much more.

The most common type of symmetry is line or bilateral symmetry. A figure that can be folded in such a way that one-half of it lies exactly on the other half is said to have line symmetry. The two parts of the original pictures are mirror images of each other and are said to be congruent. [Congruent means that both parts have the same shape and the same size.] Look closely at the picture of the Taj Mahal ot the left. Can you find where the line of symmetry is in this picture?

Line Symmetry or Not?

All figures do not have line symmetry. See the examples and non-examples of line symmetry below.

These objects have line symmetry					These objects do not have line symmetry