A tessellation is when a surface is covered

with a pattern of shapes that fit perfectly

together, leaving no overlaps or gaps between
the shapes. This can also be known as tiling.


Types of tessellations:
- A regular tessellation occurs when the
pattern is made by repeating only one regular
polygon. There are only 3 types of these
tessellations: using triangles, squares or
hexagons.


Another type of tessellation is the semi-
regular tessellation. This is made up of two or
more regular polygons put together.


The last type of tessellation is the demiregular,
which allows curved shapes (not just regular
polygons).


Examples:
Usually known as M. C. Escher, he was a Dutch
graphic artist who lived from 1898 to 1972. He
is very famous for his mathematically inspired
works, such as woodcuts, explorations of
architecture and impossible constructions,
tessellations, etc.

Escher was not a very good student, not even
in math. He claimed that it lacked use of
imagination and creativity, so he did not put
much effort into it. Years later, he decided to
use his skills for a career in graphic arts.


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Mar. 2014.
<http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/tessellation.html
Math Forum. "Tessellations Are All Around Us." Can You Find
the Tessellations All around Us? N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.tessellations.org/tessellations-all-around-
us.shtml>.
"M. C. Escher." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Mar. 2014.
Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher>.
"NGA - M.C. Escher: Life and Work." NGA - M.C. Escher: Life
and Work. National Gallery or Art, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/ggescher/ggescher-
main1.html>.