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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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).
Coastline Paradox
- Lewis Fry Richardson noted a coastline's measured length changes with the measuring tool.
- Smaller tools reveal more detail, leading to larger measurements, illustrating a fractal property.