Presented by Mathematics and Science Center

Turning Your World Around Presented by Mathematics and Science Center

What is Rotational…. Note: This is an ambigram. An ambigram is a word that when turned appears to be the same. Make your own ambigram at http://www.mathcats.com/crafts/ambigrams.html

Webster describes a rotation as “a turn about a center” Webster describes symmetry as “close agreement in size, shape, and relative position of parts arranged around a central point” http://mathinscience.info

Students of 6B, St Kieran's, Manly Vale, Sydney, Australia have designed a web site to teach the world the concepts of symmetry. (you might like to know they are 10-12 years old) On their site they say………… http://mathinscience.info

An image has Rotational Symmetry if there is a center point around which the object is turned a certain number of degrees and the object still looks the same, ie it matches itself a number of times while it is being rotated. The number of times the object matches itself is called itsorderof rotational symmetry. http://mathinscience.info

The students in Australia made designs to explore the idea of order. What order is each of their designs? http://mathinscience.info

The students also explored rotational symmetry in the world around them. Here are some of the hubcaps they found had rotational symmetry. What order do you think they are if you ignore the logos? http://mathinscience.info

Do you recognize these objects? The students found rotational symmetry in all kinds of places………. http://mathinscience.info

Symmetry is often used to design things of beauty…… http://mathinscience.info

Does this rug have rotational symmetry? If so, what order? http://mathinscience.info

The Australian students thought these rugs were great examples. Can you think of other things that have rotational symmetry? http://mathinscience.info

I found rotational symmetry in nature. What order rotational symmetry does this flower have? http://mathinscience.info

1 3 Which of these graphics have rotational symmetry? 2 4 http://mathinscience.info

The students of 6B created these designs using dot paper. What order are each of these designs? http://mathinscience.info

Now that you understand rotational symmetry and are able to identify order, try to organize your objects again. This time put them in order based on their order. Give it a try! http://mathinscience.info

Check your Work!

Now you will learn the mathematics behind these designs and create a design of your own. http://mathinscience.info

Thanks to the students of the 6B class in Sydney, Australia and to their teacher who graciously gave us permission to use their ideas and images. Explore them on your own at:http://www.schools.ash.org.au/stkierans-manly/Classes/Yr6/6B/Symmetry/page1.html http://mathinscience.info

Presented by Mathematics and Science Center