Pentominoes can be used to create many kinds of patterns.
You can look at the challenges for shapes that require all the pentominoes to make.
Or you can explore how the pentominoes fit together and create your own patterns.
Try to use all the pentominoes to create a rectangle that is 10 little squares long and 6 little squares wide.
See "Tips" page 1 for a tip.
The full solution is given on "Tips" page 2.
Try to make a rectangle that is 12 little squares long and 5 little squares wide using all the pentominoes.
See "Tips" page 1 for a tip.
The full solution is given on "Tips" page 3.
Create an 8x8 square with the 4 central squares missing using all the pentominoes.
See "Tips" page 1 for a tip.
The full solution is given on "Tips" page 4.
Create 4x15 and 3x20 rectangles using all the pentominoes.
See "Tips" page 1 for a tip.
The full solution for the 4x15 rectangle is given on "Tips" page 3.
The full solution for the 3x20 on "Tips" page 4.
All the pentominoes are represented on the walls, ceiling and floor of the Enigma Café.
Tip for square and all rectangles except 3x20:
Use the L pentomino at the left lower corner, with the X pentomino next to it. The U fits on one of the arms of the X (not necessarily the same one for all these figures).
Tip for 3x20 rectangle:
All the pentominoes that could possibly span the 3 unit width of this rectangle do so, except the P.
Tip for the cross:
The left end of the cross is formed by P and L; the top by U; the right end by V and the bottom by T.
Full solutions are given on the next pages.
Solution for the 10x6 rectangle
Dominoes are made of two equal squares joined at their edges. In the same way, pentominoes are shapes made up of five squares joined at their edges.
There are twelve different kinds of pentominoes. They are named after the letters of the alphabet that they look like: F, I, L,N, P, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z.
Look around you. The Enigma Café is lined by giant pentominoes. How many can you find?
There are lots of puzzle challenges with these pieces. You can make your own creative patterns with them as well.
