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/exa
mples_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 Tessellation
Polygon should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent.
squares
hexagons
parallelograms
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Transformations
Reflection
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Glide Reflection Tessellation
Polygon 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_microso
ft_paintbrush.htm
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