Tessellations

problem

Tessellating Capitals

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Have you ever tried tessellating capital letters? Have a look at these examples and then try some for yourself.
problem

Tessellating Triangles

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you make these equilateral triangles fit together to cover the paper without any gaps between them? Can you tessellate isosceles triangles?
problem

Two by One

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

An activity making various patterns with 2 × 1 rectangular tiles.
problem

Tiles in a Public Building

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What is the same and what is different about these tiling patterns and how do they contribute to the floor as a whole?
problem

Shapely Tiling

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Use the interactivity to make this Islamic star and cross design. Can you produce a tessellation of regular octagons with two different types of triangle?
problem

Tessellating Transformations

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

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?
problem

Escher Tessellations

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This practical investigation invites you to make tessellating shapes in a similar way to the artist Escher.
problem

Penta Place

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Penta people, the Pentominoes, always build their houses from five square rooms. I wonder how many different Penta homes you can create?
article
Maurits Cornelius Escher

Have you ever noticed how mathematical ideas are often used in patterns that we see all around us? This article describes the life of Escher who was a passionate believer that maths and art can be intertwined.
interactivity
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Tessellation Interactivity

Age

7 to 16

Challenge level

An environment that enables you to investigate tessellations of regular polygons