![tessellation shapes tessellation shapes](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPbYNwkV6eo/VHeacQqc9cI/AAAAAAAAOt4/xTqwfKtKWwY/s1600/agp070.jpg)
Did you know that you cannot create a tessellation with regular pentagons? Or with regular octagons? As a matter of fact there are only three types of regular polygons that can be used to make regular tessellations. The equilateral triangle, the square, the regular pentagon are all examples of regular polygons. Regular polygons have all sides and all angles congruent. This type of tessellation can not be achieved with any type of polygons. A regulartessellation is a pattern made by repeating a regular polygon. If you want to cover the plane with regular congruent polygons, you are trying to create a regular tessellation. A Tessellation(or Tiling) is when we cover a surface with a pattern of flat shapes so that there are no overlaps or gaps. Let's talk a little about the math in tessellations. The tiles in the kitchen and the puzzle you have solved are nothing but tessellations. Regular polygons tessellate if the interior angles can be added. Well, regular shapes like triangles, squares, and hexagons tessellate naturally while irregular shapes have to fit into each other to tile a surface uniformly.
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In this final session we analyse tessellations and attempt to predict the processes that were used to create them. A tessellation is a pattern created with identical shapes which fit together with no gaps. At the end of each session share the tessellating art. I'm sure that you have already seen many tessellations in real life. Ask the students to make a written record about the process that they used to make the tessellating shape and the tessellation. A tessellation is a collection of figures that can be put together to fill a plane surface without overlaps or gaps. Not all polygons are tessellation shapes.