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pangea.tec.selu.edu/~versek/Tessellations%20Complete.ppt
What is a tessellation?
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.
Simply put: A tessellation is like a puzzle that repeats a particular pattern. For example:
Mud flats...
Tessellations in Nature
snake skin
Tessellations are all around us: Look for tessellations in walls, patios and pavements.
Study of Science
X-ray Crystallography
This picture depicts the transformation of eight points in an array to make a very small crystal lattice, which tessellates.
more science.
This image suggests the relationship between tessellations, symmetry, and x-ray crystallograpy.
Hydrogen Peroxide, among other chemicals, has this tessellating, crystal structure.
Many different geometric shapes can be used to create tessellations. Which of the shapes below would fit with itself to make a good tessellation design?
Math in Tessellations
Regular tiling
Which other regular polygons do you think can tile the plane?
The interior angle of every equilateral triangle is 60. If we sum the angles around a vertex, we get 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 = 360 again!.
Pentagons Will pentagons work? The interior angle of a pentagon is 108, and 108 + 108 + 108 = 324.
Hexagons Hexagons? The interior angle is 120, and 120 + 120 + 120 = 360. How many hexagons to make 1 complete rotation?
Heptagons Heptagons? Octagons? Not without getting overlaps. In fact, all polygons with more than six sides will overlap.
Regular tiling So, the only regular polygons that tessellate the plane are triangles, squares and hexagons.
A famous mathematician, Kepler studied tessellations and noted the regular tessellations or (tilings) of the plane.
one of squares
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.
Translations - a slide
this side
the alteration
moves here
the alteration
flips here
Rotations - turns
the alteration
Step 2: Remove a shape or shapes from one side of the rectangle and fix them to the opposite side.
Fish
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?
You need to first create a tessellating template. Step 1: using grid paper cut out a perfect square. Step 2: with a pencil make a line on two adjacent sides of the square. Be sure not to draw through a corner. Step 3: cut out the pieces and attach them with tape to the opposite sides from where they came. You have now created your tessellation template.
Seeing a Figure
Looking at your tessellation template, study the sides and the shape to decide what sort of figure you might see. The person who designed this form saw an elephant and an elf. Are there any other different forms that you might see? When looking for the shape be sure not to see too much detail as it can make the art work too crowded.
Combinations of symmetry
Extras
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Is this a regular tessellation? What kind of tessellation is this? Tessellation internet activity Cool site for interactive Javascript tessellations. Constructing tessellations - Claris/Appleworks, HyperCard, HyperStudio, Geometry Sketchpad, Windows Paint and more.
Links
Totally Tessellated - ThinkQuest winner - great site, instruction, information. http://library.advanced.org/16661/ Tessellations Tutorials - Math Forum site http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html - site for construction of tessellations. http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/links.html - great list of tessellation links Math. Com - List of good tessellation links http://test.math.com/students/wonders/tessellations.html World of Escher site - commerical site with gallery of Dutch artist,Escher who was famous for his tessellation art. http://WorldOfEscher.com/gallery/ Science Universitys Tilings Around Us Site. http://www.ScienceU.com/geometry/articles/tiling/tilings.html Other links from Forum. http://forum.swarthmore.edu/library/topics/transform_g/