Tessellation Project Names _____________________________

Mr. Yates Date ___________ Geometry Period ____

Two people to a group.

Cut templates out of index card based on the polygons on p. 398.

You should make:
Shape (# sides) # to cut
Triangles (3) 6
Squares (4) 4
Pentagons (5) 3
Hexagons (6) 3
Octagons (8) 2
Decagons (10) 2
Dodecagons (12) 2

I. First investigate which shapes will allow a regular tiling of the plane—that is,
which shapes will fit together to fill up space, using only copies of one type of
shape?

For each regular tiling you find, on graph paper, draw a copy of one vertex
which has 360 degrees of one shape fitting around it.

II. Now investigate which pairs or triplets of shapes can fit together (for example,
two dodecagons and a triangle fill a vertex; this tiling is illustrated on p.397 as
3.12.12). The results of such vertices fitting together ad infinitum is called a
semiregular tessellation of the plane. Try to find as many combinations as
you can (there are eight), and draw a copy of each vertex on graph paper.

III. Pick one regular tiling and one semiregular tiling, and fill up a sheet of graph
paper with each. After you do the following analysis, please make them
colorful, so that I may hang them up on my Student Work wall!

For each tiling:

1) Are there any translations that move shapes on top of other copies of the
same shape? Draw in three arrows in dark ink that indicate the length and
direction for these translations. Your tiling has translation symmetry.
2) Are there any lines you can fold along to match up everything on both sides
of the line? Do the folds, then trace over them lightly with a pencil. Try and
get at least one fold from every possible direction (that is, non-parallel folds).
These folds indicate lines of reflection symmetry.
 3) Are there any points of rotation symmetry, where you can turn the whole
picture around that point and every piece will match up with a
corresponding piece around it? Draw in dark ink at least four of these points.
4) Bonus: identify with lines and arrows any glide reflections on the back.
5) Name it. Go back and name each of your eleven vertices from Parts I & II.
Naming tilings that are semiregular like this can be accomplished by just
listing all the shapes that meet at a vertex. For example, if 6 triangles meet at
every vertex, we can write 3.3.3.3.3.3 (3’s since each triangle has three sides).
6) Color in your tessellation.

IV. Cut out a square from index-card stock. Mr. Yates will show you how to
create a shape by cutting and taping pieces from your square. Use this shape
to create an Escher-esque tiling of the plane.

V. Write one paragraph that identifies what you learned, what you found
interesting, and what you found difficult or frustrating about this project.
Your paragraph should have at least six sentences.

Grading rubric:
Part I – 10 points (got all 3 regular tilings; drew a copy of each vertex; named
each vertex/tiling)
Part II – 15 points (got all 8 semiregular tilings; drew a copy of each vertex;
named each vertex/tiling)
Part III – 25 points regular, 25 points semiregular (correct and colorful tiling;
reflections, rotations, translations identified; correct name)
Part IV – 15 points (for complete and colorful tiling)
Part V – 15 points (at least six sentences; addresses each topic)

105 points total possible