Tessellation
A tessellation is a pattern of repeating figures that fit
together with NO overlapping or empty spaces. Tessellations are formed using transformation. Transformations:
Translation**
Rotation**
Reflection** Dilation
If many copies of a shape can be used to cover a
surface, without leaving any gaps between them, then we say that the shape will tessellate. The pattern that is formed is called a tessellation.
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Tessellations all around us
Look for tessellations in walls, patios and pavements.
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Tessellations all around us
Common shapes can be arranged in unusual ways Sometimes an unusual shape will tessellate
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Tessellations all around us
Sometimes 2 or more different shapes will tessellate.
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Tessellation with Pentominoes
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Tessellation with 7-Pin Polygons
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Tessellations by M.C. Escher
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Make Your Own
Use this as a template to create your tessellation.
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Make Your Own
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Make Your Own
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Examples of Tessellation Art
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Project Directions 1. Start with a template piece
Must be a REGULAR polygon (squares work well)
Translation Glide Reflection (translation with reflection) Rotation Mid-point Rotation
2.
Choose one of the following transformations
3. 4. 5. 6.
Practice with template on computer paper. Trace your final product on to white card stock (9x12). Color and decorate Mount onto construction paper
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Translation Tessellation (EASY)
For simple translation tessellations, your starting polygon should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent. Squares, hexagons, and parallelograms work best.
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Translation Tessellation (HARD) You can create more complex designs starting with square
1. 2. 3. 4.
tessellations and making changes on both pairs of sides.
Start with a square
Draw a design on one side of the square and slide it to opposite side. Draw another design on the adjacent side of the square and slide it to opposite side. Tape the cutout pieces to opposite sides. Slide (translation) the pattern when tracing.
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Depending how you decide to color your tessellation, a very simple design can have a very creative result.
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Glide Reflection Tessellation
For glide reflection tessellations, your polygons should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent. Squares, hexagons, and parallelograms work best.
*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a glide reflection for both.
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Rotation Tessellation
For rotation tessellations, the adjacent sides of the polygon must be congruent. Squares, equilateral triangles, regular hexagons, and rhombi work best.
*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a rotation tessellation HAMZAH NUN @ IPGboth. KTHO for
Midpoint Rotation Tessellations
Triangles, squares, and quadrilaterals work best for
this type.
*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a mid-point rotation HAMZAH NUN @ IPGfor KTHO both.
Example: Rotational Tessellation
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In nature and life, they appear often:
Honeycombs...
Mud flats...
In games, like checkers..
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Patterns
Very basic tessellations are simply a repeating pattern. The rule is that you have to make sure that the shapes fit together leaving no open space on the page.
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Professional Tessellation Sun and Moon Fish Designs M.C. Escher Robert Ingalls
Many artists have created master works of art using the simple rules of tessellations. M.C. Escher and Robert Ingalls are among many tessellation artists. Can you you spot the repeating shape?
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The mathematics of the Regular Tessellation...
A regular polygon tessellation is constructed from regular polygons.
Regular polygons have equal sides and equal angles.
The regular polygons must fill the plane at each vertex, with repeating patterns and no overlapping pieces.
Note: this pentagon does not fit into the vertex therefore it is not a regular tessellation.
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A famous mathematician, Kepler studied tessellations and noted
the regular tessellations or (tilings) of the plane.
There are only three regular tessellations;
one of triangles
one of squares
and one of hexagons.
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This is NOT a regular polygon tessellation, because...
vertex The plane is not filled at the vertex, because there is space left over.
space
A regular polygon tessellation, can be changed using alterations to the sides of the polygon. These alterations are called transformations.
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