Mathematics · Glossary

What is Symmetric about a point?

Also known as: central symmetry

Definition 52.1 Primary & Middle School Mathematics · Chapter 52 — Central Symmetry and Parallelograms

The symmetric of a point MM about a point OO is the point MM' such that OO is the midpoint of [MM][MM']. The symmetric figure is what the original becomes after a half-turn (180180^\circ) around OO.

Symmetry about O: each point and its image are aligned with O, at equal distances on both sides (tick marks).
Symmetry about OO: each point and its image are aligned with OO, at equal distances on both sides (tick marks).

Examples

Example 52.3 (On a grid)

If MM is 33 squares left and 11 square up from OO, its symmetric MM' is 33 squares right and 11 square down from OO: central symmetry reverses both directions at once (a reflection reverses only one).

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