lecture on tessellations

2. Basically, a tessellation is a way to tile
a floor (that goes on forever) with
shapes so that there is no overlapping
and no gaps.

3. So, here's how you make a
tessellation without using math!

4. Cut a square about 4" wide

5. Cut any shape from one side.

6. Use a ruler to position it on the other
side, exactly across where it came from.

7. Tape it onto the opposite side

8. Cut another shape from the bottom.

9. Use a ruler to position it onto the top.

10. Tape the piece on opposite where you
got it.

11. Get a piece of paper. Begin in the
middle and trace your shape.

12. Trace the shape over and over, fitting it
together as you go.

13. Get as creative as you like coloring
your creation!

60. Stare hard at this for a
minute. Then close your
eyes, and you will see
red squares on a green
background.

62. Phantom dots appear
between the squares.

64. The blue lines are parallel. (Oh yes, they are!)

66. The vertical lines are straight. (Honest!)

68. Are these red squares on a yellow background, or yellow squares on a red background?

70. Can you see the yellow squares? (But they aren't there!)

72. I'm not quite sure what this does, but it looks pretty!

74. Is the yellow or the green on top of the cubes?

76. Both yellows are the same shade.