How to Find the Order of Rotational Symmetry

This video tutorial explains rotational symmetry and how to determine the order of rotational symmetry for shapes. It provides examples, such as a square, to illustrate the concept and includes practice questions to reinforce learning. Rotational symmetry is when a shape looks the same after being rotated around its center. The order of symmetry is the number of times a shape appears identical during a full 360° rotation. The video encourages using tracing paper to test symmetry and highlights that shapes with no rotational symmetry have an order of one.

What is rotational symmetry?

• A shape looks different after a full 360° rotation.

• A shape looks the same after a partial rotation.

• A shape looks the same after a full 360° rotation.

• A shape looks different after a partial rotation.

How many times does a square look the same when rotated 360°?

• 3 times

• 5 times

• 2 times

• 4 times

What tool can help you test the rotational symmetry of a shape?

• A ruler

• Tracing paper

• A compass

• A protractor

What is the order of rotational symmetry for a shape that only looks the same in one position?

• Order 2

• Order 1

• Order 0

• Order 3

If a shape has no rotational symmetry, what can we say about its order?

• It has order zero.

• It has order three.

• It has order one.

• It has order two.