Which of the following rotations turn a regular triangle onto itself? Pick ALL that apply

45
60
90
120
135
180
225
240
270
315
360

1 answer

To determine which rotations turn a regular triangle onto itself, we need to consider the symmetries of an equilateral triangle. A regular triangle (equilateral triangle) has rotational symmetries that occur at specific angles.

The angles that allow a regular triangle to map onto itself are multiples of \( \frac{360}{3} = 120 \) degrees, which corresponds to the three vertices of the triangle.

The relevant rotations that turn the triangle onto itself are:

  • \( 0^\circ \) (or \( 360^\circ \))
  • \( 120^\circ \)
  • \( 240^\circ \)

Now let's check the given options:

  1. 45 – No
  2. 60 – No
  3. 90 – No
  4. 120 – Yes
  5. 135 – No
  6. 180 – No
  7. 225 – No
  8. 240 – Yes
  9. 270 – No
  10. 315 – No
  11. 360 – Yes (as it is equivalent to a full rotation)

Thus, the rotations that turn a regular triangle onto itself are:

  • 120
  • 240
  • 360

So the correct answers are 120, 240, and 360.