Symmetric Strip Patterns

In this interactive worksheet we will discover the classification of symmetric strip patterns.

In this worksheet you will have to answer questions periodically. If you answer the question correctly you will move on to the next page. If you give the wrong answer you may lose points. Since you don't want to give a wrong answer think before answering! If you are doing this for credit and give up, email your instructor the last code you see for partial credit. If you want to start all over again click on the pattern in the upper left frame. The starting code should be ST-1524, if not, close this browser window and reload the worksheet. If you are doing this for credit do not use BACK or FORWARD buttons on your browser.

Strip patterns such as the Inca patterns below

have appeared in many cultures. They often appear as borders or decorations on clothing, pottery, or walls.

The essential feature of these patterns, from a geometrical point of view, is that they have a translation symmetry in one direction only. They may also have vertical or horizontal reflections, rotations or glide reflections. But there are limitations on the types of symmetry possible, in fact there are only a finite number of symmetry types possible.

To continue on in this worksheet indicate how many strip symmetry types you think might be possible? (Your opinion, no penalty for a wrong answer.)
  3
  7
  17
  525