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L-triominoes

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
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A triomino is a shape made from three squares. Here is an L-triomino:

Here is a size 2 L-triomino:
double sized L-triomino
It can be tiled with four size 1 L-triominoes:
size 2 triomino tiled

 
Can you work out how to use the tiling of a size 2 L-triomino to help you to tile a size 4 L-triomino? Click here for a hint.

Devise a convincing argument that you will be able to tile a size 8, 16, 32... $2^n$ L-triomino using size 1 L-triominoes.
 
How many size 1 L-triominoes would you need to tile a size 8... 16... 32... $2^n$ L-triomino? 
  
 
What about odd sized L-triominoes? The diagram below shows the region which needs to be tiled to turn a size 1 L-triomino into a size 3 L-triomino.
 Size 1 to size 3
Can you find a quick way of tiling the region, using combinations of the 'building blocks' below?
 
2 by 3 rectangle and size 2 triomino

In the same way, can you find a way of adding to your size 3 tiling to tile a size 5? Then a size 7, 9, 11...? Click here for a hint.
Devise a convincing argument that you will be able to tile any odd sized L-triomino using size 1 L-triominoes. 
 
Combine your ideas to produce a convincing argument that ANY size of L-triomino can be tiled.

Here is an interactive you could use to try out your ideas.


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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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