Advanced Mathematics Primary 4 Symmetry

A regular 6-pointed star is drawn on paper. The star is formed by overlapping two equilateral triangles and has 6 identical outer points equally spaced around a central hexagon. How many lines of symmetry does this star have?

A 6
B 3
C 12
D 2
Show Worked Solution

Worked Solution

Step 1: Recognise the symmetry type. A regular 6-pointed star (hexagram) has the same rotational and reflective symmetry as a regular hexagon. Step 2: Find lines through opposite outer points. There are 6 outer points. Pair them up into 3 opposite pairs. Each pair defines one line of symmetry passing through both points. This gives 3 lines of symmetry. Step 3: Find lines through opposite inner indentations. Between each pair of adjacent outer points there is an inner concave corner. There are 6 such corners. Pair them into 3 opposite pairs. Each pair defines one more line of symmetry. This gives another 3 lines of symmetry. Step 4: Total. 3 + 3 = 6 lines of symmetry. Answer: 6

Correct answer: 6

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