Tessellations

  • Polygon Rings
    problem

    Polygon rings

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Join pentagons together edge to edge. Will they form a ring?

  • L-triominoes
    problem

    L-triominoes

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    L triominoes can fit together to make larger versions of themselves. Is every size possible to make in this way?
  • Polygon walk
    problem

    Polygon walk

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Go on a vector walk and determine which points on the walk are closest to the origin.
  • Tiles in a public building
    problem

    Tiles in a public building

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    What is the same and what is different about these tiling patterns and how do they contribute to the floor as a whole?
  • Repeating Patterns
    problem

    Repeating patterns

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Try continuing these patterns made from triangles. Can you create your own repeating pattern?
  • The Square Hole
    problem

    The square hole

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    If the yellow equilateral triangle is taken as the unit for area, what size is the hole ?
  • Equal Equilateral Triangles
    problem

    Equal equilateral triangles

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Can you make a regular hexagon from yellow triangles the same size as a regular hexagon made from green triangles ?
  • Tessellating Capitals
    problem

    Tessellating capitals

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Have you ever tried tessellating capital letters? Have a look at these examples and then try some for yourself.
  • Escher Tessellations
    problem

    Escher tessellations

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    This practical investigation invites you to make tessellating shapes in a similar way to the artist Escher.
  • Tessellating Transformations
    problem

    Tessellating transformations

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Can you find out how the 6-triangle shape is transformed in these tessellations? Will the tessellations go on for ever? Why or why not?