ABSTRACT

Tessellations: Mathematics, Art and Recreation aims to present a comprehensive introduction to tessellations (tiling) at a level accessible to non-specialists. Additionally, it covers techniques, tips, and templates to facilitate the creation of mathematical art based on tessellations. Inclusion of special topics like spiral tilings and tessellation metamorphoses allows the reader to explore beautiful and entertaining math and art.

The book has a particular focus on ‘Escheresque’ designs, in which the individual tiles are recognizable real-world motifs. These are extremely popular with students and math hobbyists but are typically very challenging to execute. Techniques demonstrated in the book are aimed at making these designs more achievable. Going beyond planar designs, the book contains numerous nets of polyhedra and templates for applying Escheresque designs to them.

Activities and worksheets are spread throughout the book, and examples of real-world tessellations are also provided.

Key features

  • Introduces the mathematics of tessellations, including symmetry
  • Covers polygonal, aperiodic, and non-Euclidean tilings
  • Contains tutorial content on designing and drawing Escheresque tessellations
  • Highlights numerous examples of tessellations in the real world
  • Activities for individuals or classes
  • Filled with templates to aid in creating Escheresque tessellations
  • Treats special topics like tiling rosettes, fractal tessellations, and decoration of tiles

chapter Chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction to Tessellations

chapter Chapter 2|34 pages

Geometric Tessellations

chapter Chapter 3|26 pages

Symmetry and Transformations in Tessellations

chapter Chapter 4|12 pages

Tessellations in Nature

chapter Chapter 5|14 pages

Decorative and Utilitarian Tessellations

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

Polyforms and Reptiles

chapter Chapter 7|20 pages

Rosettes and Spirals

chapter Chapter 9|24 pages

Fractal Tiles and Fractal Tilings

chapter Chapter 10|10 pages

Non-Euclidean Tessellations

chapter Chapter 11|20 pages

Tips on Designing and Drawing Escheresque Tessellations

chapter Chapter 12|10 pages

Special Techniques to Solve Design Problems

chapter Chapter 13|24 pages

Escheresque Tessellations Based on Squares

chapter Chapter 17|10 pages

Escheresque Tessellations Based on Hexagonal Tiles

chapter Chapter 18|14 pages

Decorating Tiles to Create Knots and Other Designs

chapter Chapter 19|10 pages

Tessellation Metamorphoses and Dissections

chapter Chapter 20|16 pages

Introduction to Polyhedra

chapter Chapter 21|14 pages

Adapting Plane Tessellations to Polyhedra

chapter Chapter 22|18 pages

Tessellating the Platonic Solids

chapter Chapter 23|42 pages

Tessellating the Archimedean Solids

chapter Chapter 24|24 pages

Tessellating Other Polyhedra

chapter Chapter 25|12 pages

Tessellating Other Surfaces