Question

1. what is a tessellation? a tessellation is a collection of geometric shapes that have all congruent sides and repeat in a periodic or aperiodic pattern. a tessellation is a collection of geometric shapes that have all congruent sides. a tessellation is a plane that is covered by a pattern of geometric shapes. a tessellation is a plane that is covered by a pattern of geometric shapes with no gaps and no overlaps.

Explanation:

A tessellation is defined as covering a plane with geometric shapes such that there are no gaps or overlaps. The key elements are the plane - covering aspect and the absence of gaps/overlaps.

• Option 1: The mention of "all congruent sides" is not a defining feature of a tessellation. Also, while periodic or aperiodic patterns are common in tessellations, the core definition is about covering the plane without gaps/overlaps.
• Option 2: Just having geometric shapes with all congruent sides does not make a tessellation. There is no mention of covering a plane.
• Option 3: Saying a plane covered by a pattern of geometric shapes is too vague. A tessellation specifically requires no gaps and no overlaps.
• Option 4: This correctly captures the essence of a tessellation - covering a plane with geometric shapes in a pattern with no gaps and no overlaps.

Answer:

A tessellation is a plane that is covered by a pattern of geometric shapes with no gaps and no overlaps.