Tessellations

Regular TessellationRegular Tessellation 1Regular TessellationRegular Tessellation 1Regular Tessellation
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What are Tessellations?
To get an overview of regular and semi-regular tessellations listen to this brief podcast.  The following vocabulary will also be discussed:
  • Plane
  • Tessellation
  • Regular Polygon
  • Congruent

Regular Tessellation
Regular Tessellations
A tessellation is a way of tiling so that you have no gaps or overlaps.  A regular tessellation is created by using congruent regular polygons that have the same vertex.  The only regular polygons that form regular tessellations are triangles, squares and hexagons.


Semi-Regular Tessellations
Semi-Regular Tessellations
A semi-regular tessellation is created by tiling two or three regular polygons.  Every vertex of a semi-regular tessellation must have the same configuration and the sum of the angles must be 360º.   Mathematicians use five regular polygons in eight combinations to create semi-regular tessellations.  The five polygons are:
  • Triangles
  • Squares
  • Hexagons
  • Octagons
  • Dodecagons

Tessellation Creator
Tessellation Creator
Try your hand at making tessellations.  Can you figure out a rule that will help you know if shapes will tessellate?  Visit the Tessellation Creator.

For additional information, please contact Diana Amend at Diana_Amend@knights.ucf.edu
Page last updated on 6/12/2014