Rotational Symmetry
Learning to identify shapes with rotational symmetry.
Core concept
A square has rotational symmetry of order 4, since rotating it by 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360° (back to start) each produces an identical-looking shape. An equilateral triangle has rotational symmetry of order 3 (matching every 120°), while a shape with no rotational symmetry (other than the trivial full 360° turn) is said to have rotational symmetry of order 1. Understanding rotational symmetry, alongside line symmetry, gives a complete picture of a shape's overall symmetrical properties.
Exam highlight
Key diagram

- Show a square being rotated to illustrate its rotational symmetry of order 4.
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Quick notes
• Rotational symmetry: a shape looks the same after rotating less than a full 360° turn.
• The order of rotational symmetry counts how many matching positions occur in one full rotation.
• A square has rotational symmetry of order 4 (matches every 90°).
• An equilateral triangle has rotational symmetry of order 3 (matches every 120°).