Perimeter & Area

Problem

Count distinct shapes built by adding congruent tiles

I have 3 identical rhombus tiles. I join them edge to edge (whole side to whole side) into one connected shape, and I count how many different shapes are possible, treating two shapes as the same if one becomes the other by rotating or flipping.
one tile two tiles joined add a third tile
Geometry
Your answer
How to solve
Strategy Make a Systematic List — This is a 'how many shapes' question with a tiny finite set, so the safe method is to list every way to add the third tile to the two-tile shape and then cross out repeats that are the same after turning or flipping.
1STEP 1

Two tiles already make two shapes

Two rhombi make two shapes, not one: a straight pair and a bent pair.

2 tiles → 2 shapes
2STEP 2

Grow the straight one

Add the third tile to every open edge of the straight pair and cross out turns and flips. Six survive.

straight pair → 6
3STEP 3

Grow the bent one, then add the two counts

The bent pair yields only three: a hexagon, a tent, a zigzag. Nothing is on both lists, so add.

6 + 3 = 9
Answer
9 shapes
The count splits by what the first two tiles look like, and every three-tile shape contains a two-tile one, so nothing is missed: 6 from the straight pair and 3 from the bent pair, with no shape on both lists.
Takeaway

Two tiles already make two different shapes -- grow each one separately, then add the counts.

  • Two tiles already make two shapes
  • Grow the straight one
  • Grow the bent one, then add the two counts
Where next?
Another one like thissuggested
Same look, different logicsuggested
Step back and solidifysuggested

▶ Practice — 3 problems