A regular hexagon, which is a six-sided polygon with all sides and angles equal, has a total of 6 lines of symmetry.
Each line of symmetry can be visualized as a line that divides the hexagon into two mirror-image halves. Here’s how it works:
- Vertex-to-Vertex Symmetry: There are 6 lines of symmetry that connect each vertex of the hexagon to the opposite vertex. These lines extend from one corner to the one directly across from it.
- Edge-to-Edge Symmetry: In addition, there are lines of symmetry that run through the midpoints of opposite edges. There are 3 such lines, since each pair of opposite edges contributes one line of symmetry.
Thus, when you count all the lines mentioned above, you find that the regular hexagon has a total of 6 lines of symmetry. This characteristic of symmetry gives the hexagon a visually appealing and harmonious shape, making it a fascinating figure in geometry.