Students will explore the symmetries of regular polygons. To start, have students make a table relating the number of sides in a regular polygon, to its number of lines of symmetry, and its order of rotational symmetry. Have students draw the lines of symmetry for an equilateral triangle, square, and pentagon. Have them demonstrate the order of rotational symmetry by marking a point on each shape, then rotating it while counting. Once they've determined the correct number of lines of symmetry, and order of rotational symmetry, for each shape, ask them what the pattern is.
Next, give your students these challenges:
- Let Us Reflect by NRICH
- Buzzy Bee by NRICH
Conclude by leading this investigation:
GCF Bingo
by MathPickle