Google Earth Voyager Story: The Geometry of Polygon-Shaped Buildings, Part 1

We are so accustomed to seeing rectangular buildings that when one is shaped like a polygon, it catches our eyes. Polygon-shaped buildings have a different look because they sometimes have a different function. In this activity learn about the properties of polygons and how to construct regular polygons using a compass and ruler, as well as technology. To see the Google Earth version of this lesson go to this link (best viewed in Chrome).

To see the complete collection of Google Earth Voyager Stories from Media4Math, go to this link.

1. Introduction: Polygon-Shaped Buildings

To start this lesson, watch this video about the Pentagon. This video describes the basics of polygons and why these shapes are sometimes used for certain types of buildings.

2. Polygons and Arabasques

Polygon shapes are not just used for shapes of buildings but they have cultural and religious significance. Islamic artists used polygon shapes to create arabasque designs. Watch this video to learn about the cultural legacy from Marrakesh.

3. Euclid's Influence on Islamic Artists

Watch this video to learn how the ideas of the Greeks influenced Islamic artists and scholars. In particular learn about how the work of Euclid influence Islmaic artists.

4. Geometric Construction: Regular Hexagon

Watch this video to learn how to create a regular hexagon using a compass, ruler, pencil, and paper.

5. Geometric Construction Using the TI-Nspire

Use the paper-and-pencil techniques from the previous section using technology. Watch the video to learn how to construct a regular hexagon using the TI-Nspire (or any geometry software).

6. Exploring Tesselations

Now that you know how to construct a regular polygon, you can create more complex patterns, some of which are tesselations. Watch the video to learn more about tesselations.