Tessellating Shapes

Tessellating Shapes: How to solve these exercises

1. Understand the goal A tessellation is a pattern of shapes that covers a surface with no gaps and no overlaps. In these exercises, you may need to decide whether a shape can tessellate or complete a pattern by using the given shape repeatedly.

2. Look for fitting rules A shape tessellates when its edges can meet neatly around a point or along a line. Helpful checks:

   • opposite sides may match in length and direction,
   • angles around a point should add to a full turn,
   • the shape should repeat without leaving spaces.

3. Build the pattern carefully Place copies of the shape by rotating, reflecting, or sliding it as needed. Keep edges aligned exactly. If the task gives partial coverage, continue the same repeating arrangement until the region is filled.

4. Simplify the final answer If you are counting shapes, give the total as a single number. If you are identifying whether a shape tessellates, answer clearly with yes or no and, when needed, a short reason.

5. Check your work Make sure there are no gaps, no overlaps, and no misaligned edges. If the pattern reaches a boundary, verify that the edge pieces still match the same repeating rule.