Using Transformations to Create Fantastic Tessellations!

Dr. Maria Mitchell

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What is a Tessellation?

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What is a Tessellation?

• The graphic artist M.C. Escher (1898 – 1972) was intrigued with the idea of creating a single shape that could be copied and then used to cover a surface without any gaps or overlaps.

• These coverings or tilings of the plane are called TESSELLATIONS.

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M.C. Escher

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M.C. Escher Creations

• http://www.mcescher.com/

• http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/geparker/examples_of_tessellations.htm

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Explore Shapes that Tile the Plane

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Interactive Pattern Blocks

• http://www.arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml

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Moves Used to Make the Tilings

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Transformations Translation

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Nibbling

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Simple Translation TessellationPolygon should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent.

squares hexagons

parallelograms

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Transformations Reflection

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Glide Reflection TessellationPolygon should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent.

squares hexagons

parallelograms

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Transformations Rotation

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Rotational Tessellation Adjacent sides must be congruent.

squares triangles hexagons

parallelograms

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Now You Can Make Your Electronic Tessellation Using Pattern Blocks

• http://www.arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml

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Now You Can Make Your Electronic Tessellation Using Microsoft Paint

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/geparker/creating_a_basic_tessellation_using_microsoft_paintbrush.htm

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