Symmetry in geometry: translational, bilateral and rotational

Symmetry/line of symmetry

The term symmetry or symmetrical can be identify as the ability to make a shape folded into equal parts.
This gives us the ability to identify how symmetry can be achieved whether vertically or horizontally.
This symmetrical line in most cases is called the mirror line.

The line which each shape is symmetrical is called line of symmetry or axis of symmetry or mirror line.
There are four types of symmetry. These include:

 Translational symmetry
 Rotational symmetry
 Bilateral symmetry
 Glide symmetry.

Bilateral symmetry
Bilateral symmetry refers to the body plan where a plane or axis divides an organism into two equal
halves. This division occurs along a midline called the sagittal plane.

Example:

The butterfly has a vertical axis of symmetry that is used to break the butterfly into two equal halves.

Translational symmetry
Translational symmetry of an object means that a particular translation does not change the object. For a
given object, the translations for which this applies form a group, the symmetry group of the object, or, if
the object has more kinds of symmetry, a subgroup of the symmetry group.

Example

Bilateral symmetry
Rotational symmetry is when an object has been rotated but it looks like it is in its original
orientation. For example, a square will look the same when it is rotated a quarter turn. A shape does not
have rotational symmetry if it does not look the same when rotated.

Example:

Gilde Symmetry
The single operation of reflection and translation is called a glide and the symmetry element is called a
glide plane.

Example
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