Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: Fractals - Whoa
Nov 30, 2019
Discover the mesmerizing world of fractals, where simple patterns reveal complex beauty. Delve into their historical significance, mathematical foundations, and aesthetic appeal, showcasing their incredible presence in nature and art. Explore how fractals revolutionized CGI, bringing stunning realism to film, and learn about their surprising applications in medical technology, aiding tumor detection. Plus, hear personal stories that link the intricate patterns of fractals to complex biological systems.
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Fractals Describe Nature
- Fractals describe natural shapes, unlike Euclidean geometry, which focuses on man-made objects.
- A fern is a good example of a fractal in nature, exhibiting self-similarity.
Fractal Dimension
- Euclidean geometry struggles to precisely describe natural objects like mountains.
- Fractal geometry uses the fractal dimension to capture the complexity within those 3D shapes.
Sierpinski Gasket
- The Sierpinski gasket, built from triangles, illustrates fractal creation.
- It starts with an initiator (initial shape) and a generator (detailed version).