Difference between revisions of "Fractal"
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A '''fractal''' is a [[design]] which contains in detail a shape which looks like the whole. This can be repeated ''ad infinitum'', meaning that fractals do not cease in their [[similarity]]. | A '''fractal''' is a [[design]] which contains in detail a shape which looks like the whole. This can be repeated ''ad infinitum'', meaning that fractals do not cease in their [[similarity]]. | ||
| + | [[Image:SsFb.gif|A computer generated image of a [[fern]] frond, an example of fractals in nature.|left|thumb]] | ||
The fractal nature of some plants has convinced many people that God must have designed the natural world (see [[fern]]s). The leaves of a fern are shaped very much like the frond. Evolutionary biologists have yet to propose a satisfactory explanation for the spontaneous appearance of complex patterns in living organisms. They cannot adequately explain the evolutionary advantage of an endlessly repeating [[pattern]] and how it comes about from elementary biological or chemical processes. | The fractal nature of some plants has convinced many people that God must have designed the natural world (see [[fern]]s). The leaves of a fern are shaped very much like the frond. Evolutionary biologists have yet to propose a satisfactory explanation for the spontaneous appearance of complex patterns in living organisms. They cannot adequately explain the evolutionary advantage of an endlessly repeating [[pattern]] and how it comes about from elementary biological or chemical processes. | ||
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Damien Jones wrote: | Damien Jones wrote: | ||
*A fractal is a shape that, when you look at a small part of it, has a similar (but not necessarily identical) appearance to the full shape. Take, for example, a rocky mountain. From a distance, you can see how rocky it is; up close, the surface is very similar. Little rocks have a similar bumpy surface to big rocks and to the overall mountain. <ref>http://www.fractalus.com/info/layman.htm</ref> | *A fractal is a shape that, when you look at a small part of it, has a similar (but not necessarily identical) appearance to the full shape. Take, for example, a rocky mountain. From a distance, you can see how rocky it is; up close, the surface is very similar. Little rocks have a similar bumpy surface to big rocks and to the overall mountain. <ref>http://www.fractalus.com/info/layman.htm</ref> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 15:30, March 2, 2009
A fractal is a design which contains in detail a shape which looks like the whole. This can be repeated ad infinitum, meaning that fractals do not cease in their similarity.
A computer generated image of a fern frond, an example of fractals in nature.
The fractal nature of some plants has convinced many people that God must have designed the natural world (see ferns). The leaves of a fern are shaped very much like the frond. Evolutionary biologists have yet to propose a satisfactory explanation for the spontaneous appearance of complex patterns in living organisms. They cannot adequately explain the evolutionary advantage of an endlessly repeating pattern and how it comes about from elementary biological or chemical processes.
- Fractals have been studied by mathematicians for over a century. The name was coined by Benoit Mandelbrot, a mathematician at Yale University. He calls fractals the "geometry of nature." [1]
Damien Jones wrote:
- A fractal is a shape that, when you look at a small part of it, has a similar (but not necessarily identical) appearance to the full shape. Take, for example, a rocky mountain. From a distance, you can see how rocky it is; up close, the surface is very similar. Little rocks have a similar bumpy surface to big rocks and to the overall mountain. [2]
References
External links
- Ask Dr. Universe - Washington State University
- Fractal fronds
- Fractals, in Layman's Terms