Tessellations in Maths Explained

This video tutorial explains tessellations, which are tiling patterns formed by shapes without gaps. It focuses on regular tessellations made from regular polygons and how to determine if a shape will tessellate using its interior angles. The key criterion is that the sum of the angles at a vertex must be 360 degrees. Examples include an equilateral triangle, which tessellates, and a regular pentagon, which does not. The video concludes with an interactive exercise for viewers to practice identifying tessellating shapes.

What is a tessellation?

• A tiling pattern with shapes that fit perfectly without gaps

• A pattern with shapes that have gaps

• A pattern with overlapping shapes

• A pattern with irregular shapes

Which of the following is a characteristic of regular tessellations?

• They are formed with irregular polygons

• They have gaps between the shapes

• They can only be formed with circles

• They are formed with regular polygons

How can you determine if a regular polygon will tessellate?

• By ensuring its sides are equal

• By measuring its perimeter

• By checking if its interior angle divides 360° evenly

• By calculating its area

Why does an equilateral triangle tessellate?

• Because it is a regular polygon

• Because its interior angle is 90°

• Because its interior angle is 60° and divides 360° evenly

• Because it has more than four sides

Why does a regular pentagon not tessellate?

• Because its interior angle is 108° and does not divide 360° evenly

• Because its sides are not equal

• Because it has more than four sides

• Because it is not a regular polygon