| Activity Outcome | Investigating patterns in the number of lines of symmetry in regular polygons. (Patterns) |
| MTS Set | MTS7
|
| NATIONAL Curriculum | Shape |
| Topics | Symmetry
2D Shape
|
| Keywords | Symmetry, Pattern, 2D Shape |
| Grouping | Whole class, independent and learning pairs. |
| Resources | Small mirror each. |
| Lesson Notes | - Direct students to the Investigation and ask: What do you need to find out? What are lines of symmetry? How can you find them with your mirror? How are all of these shapes the same? (Regular polygons where all sides in the shapes are the same length and all angles are the same size.) How many lines of symmetry in an equilateral triangle? In a square?
- How will you record this information as you collect it? How much information will you collect before you are sure you have a pattern? Would 2 shapes be enough? Why not? 5 shapes?
- Direct students to carry out the investigation. Look for careful drawing and organization of data on a table to assist in problem solving.
- Place students with a partner and ask: (Reflections) Can you both describe a pattern? Can you use the pattern to predict the number of lines of symmetry in a decagon? Dodecagon? Any regular polygon?
- Provide the opportunity for students to share responses.
|
| Reflections | See Lesson Notes.
|
| Internet Links | |
| Answers | The number of lines of symmetry is equivalent to the number of sides in a regular polygon. |
To download and use MTS Activities you must Subscribe or create a Trial account.