Tessellations

There are 32 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Tessellations
Triominoes
problem

Triominoes

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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A triomino is a flat L shape made from 3 square tiles. A chess board is marked into squares the same size as the tiles and just one square, anywhere on the board, is coloured red. Can you cover the board with trionimoes so that only the square is exposed?
Two By One
problem

Two By One

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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An activity making various patterns with 2 x 1 rectangular tiles.
Tessellating Triangles
problem

Tessellating Triangles

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you make these equilateral triangles fit together to cover the paper without any gaps between them? Can you tessellate isosceles triangles?
Penta Place
problem

Penta Place

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Penta people, the Pentominoes, always build their houses from five square rooms. I wonder how many different Penta homes you can create?
Making Maths: Kites and Darts
page

Making Maths: Kites and Darts

Using these kite and dart templates, you could try to recreate part of Penrose's famous tessellation or design one yourself.
Lafayette
page

Lafayette

What mathematical words can be used to describe this floor covering? How many different shapes can you see inside this photograph?
Outside the Box
article

Outside the Box

This article explores the links between maths, art and history, and suggests investigations that are enjoyable as well as challenging.
Maurits Cornelius Escher
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.
Shaping Up with Tessellations
article

Shaping Up with Tessellations

This article describes the scope for practical exploration of tessellations both in and out of the classroom. It seems a golden opportunity to link art with maths, allowing the creative side of your children to take over.