Topicmc0966632141b23bc_1528449000663_0Topic

Symmetries in regular polygons

Levelmc0966632141b23bc_1528449084556_0Level

Second

Core curriculummc0966632141b23bc_1528449076687_0Core curriculum

IX. Polygons. The student:

1) knows the concept of a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon.

XV. Symmetries. The student:

3) recognizes axisymmetricaxisymmetricaxisymmetric figures and identifies their symmetry axis (…);

4) recognizes central symmetric figures and identifies their centre of symmetry.

Timingmc0966632141b23bc_1528449068082_0Timing

45 minutes

General objectivemc0966632141b23bc_1528449523725_0General objective

Using simple, well known mathematical objects, interpreting mathematical concepts and manipulating mathematical objects

Specific objectivesmc0966632141b23bc_1528449552113_0Specific objectives

1. Identifying the axis of symmetrysymmetry line, axis of symmetryaxis of symmetry in regular polygons.

2. Identifying the point of symmetry in regular polygons.

3. Communicating in English, developing basic mathematical, computer and scientific competences, developing learning skills.

Learning outcomesmc0966632141b23bc_1528450430307_0Learning outcomes

The student:

- identifies the axis of symmetry in regular polygons,

- determines  when the regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon has the centre of symmetry.

Methodsmc0966632141b23bc_1528449534267_0Methods

1. Discussion.

2. Situational analysis.

Forms of workmc0966632141b23bc_1528449514617_0Forms of work

1. Individual work.

2. Group work.

Lesson stages

Introductionmc0966632141b23bc_1528450127855_0Introduction

The teacher informs the students that during this class they will examine if regular polygons are axisymmetricaxisymmetricaxisymmetric and if they have the centre of symmetry.

The students give the definition of a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon and give examples of such polygons.

Working in pairs the students revise their knowledge about axisymmetricaxisymmetricaxisymmetric and centrosymmetric figures and recognize such figures in diagrams prepared by the teacher.

The students notice that rotating the centrosymmetric figure by 180° around the centre of symmetry, we get identical figure.

Proceduremc0966632141b23bc_1528446435040_0Procedure

The students use their computers, working individually or in pairs. They identify the number of axes of symmetry in selected regular polygons. They check which of the regular polygons have the centre of symmetry.

Task for working with Geogebra applet
Open Geogebra applet „The symmetries in regular polygons”. Change the number of sides in a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon.

Task 1
Choose option “Axes of symmetry” and observe:

1. Does a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon have at least one axis of symmetrysymmetry line, axis of symmetryaxis of symmetry? If so, what is the maximum number of the axes of symmetry?

2. Are the axes of symmetry the perpendicular bisectors in each case? Are they angle bisectors?

3. Is every regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon a centrosymmetric figure?

Consider the cases for the even and odd number of polygon sides.

The conclusions the students should draw:

1. A regular polygon has as many axes of symmetry as sides.mc0966632141b23bc_1527752263647_0A regular polygon has as many axes of symmetry as sides.

2. The axes of symmetry in a regular polygon with an odd number of sides include themselves in the bisectors of its angles and are the perpendicular bisectors of its sides at the same time.mc0966632141b23bc_1527752256679_0The axes of symmetry in a regular polygon with an odd number of sides include themselves in the bisectors of its angles and are the perpendicular bisectors of its sides at the same time.

3. The axes of symmetry in a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon with an even number of sides are the perpendicular bisectors of its sides or include themselves in the bisectors of its angles.

Task 2
Choose only option “Rotation”.

1. Consider if every regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon is a centrosymmetric figure. Set the applet slider on α = 180° and check your assumption.

2. Changing rotation angle of n‑angle on the slider, check what is the smallest rotation angle which you need to make the polygon cover the n‑angle before the rotation.

Write down your observations depending on n and try to generalize them.

The conclusions the students should draw:

1. Polygons with the even number of sides are centr9osymmetric.

2. n = 3, the smallest rotation angle α = 120°
n = 4, α = 90° n = 5,
α = 72° etc.
for any n, α = 360°/n

Task 3
Now, chose both option: “Axes of symmetry” and “Rotation” and check:

1. Where is the centre of symmetry in polygons located?

2. Can you find two perpendicular axes of symmetry in centrosymmetric polygons?

The conclusions the students should draw:

1. The centre of symmetry in a regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon is located on the intersection of its angle bisectors (the perpendicular bisectors of its sides).

2. Yes. It is also worth noticing that the following statement is true:

regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon has the centre of symmetry when there are two such axes of symmetry that intersect producing a right angle.

An extra task:
When a regular n‑gon is rotated around the intersection point of its angle bisectors, the rotation of 360°/n makes the polygon cover the original one. Concluding from this observation prove that for even n regular n‑gon has the centre of symmetry.

Lesson summarymc0966632141b23bc_1528450119332_0Lesson summary

The students do the consolidation tasks. Then, they summarize the class and formulate important information to memorize:

All regular polygons are centrosymmetric. A regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon has as many axes of symmetry as sides.

Regular polygons with an even number of sides have the centre of symmetry. The centre of symmetry is the intersection point of its angle bisectors (the perpendicular bisectors of its sides).

Selected words and expressions used in the lesson plan

angle bisectorangle bisectorangle bisector

axisymmetricaxisymmetricaxisymmetric

central symmetrycentral symmetrycentral symmetry

n‑gonn‑gonn‑gon

point of symmetry/center of symmetrypoint of symmetry, center of symmetrypoint of symmetry/center of symmetry

regular polygonregular polygonregular polygon

side perpendicular bisectorside perpendicular bisectorside perpendicular bisector

symmetry line/axis of symmetrysymmetry line, axis of symmetrysymmetry line/axis of symmetry

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regular polygon1
regular polygon

wielokąt foremny

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wymowa w języku angielskim: regular polygon
axisymmetric1
axisymmetric

osiowosymetryczny

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wymowa w języku angielskim: axisymmetric
symmetry line, axis of symmetry1
symmetry line, axis of symmetry

oś symetrii

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wymowa w języku angielskim: symmetry line, axis of symmetry
angle bisector1
angle bisector

dwusieczna kąta

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wymowa w języku angielskim: angle bisector
central symmetry1
central symmetry

symetria środkowa

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wymowa w języku angielskim: central symmetry
n‑gon1
n‑gon

n‑kąt

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wymowa w języku angielskim: n‑gon
point of symmetry, center of symmetry1
point of symmetry, center of symmetry

środek symetrii

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wymowa w języku angielskim: point of symmetry, center of symmetry
side perpendicular bisector1
side perpendicular bisector

symetralna boku

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wymowa w języku angielskim: side perpendicular bisector