For Your Inspiration: Magnificent Fractals

Since I love both math and art, I’ve always been fascinated with fractals. The Mandelbrot set is one of the most popular ways to play with fractals, and if you search on the internet, you’ll be able to find a Mandelbrot generator which will allow you to create some mind blowing mathematical pictures. I use the “Mandelbrot on Cocoa” Mac application which I downloaded here: http://mac.brothersoft.com/mandelbrot-on-cocoa.html

There are many confusing fractal definitions out there. This is the simplest definition I’ve come across and it explains it so well. According to http://mathforum.org, “A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be subdivided in parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole. Fractals are generally self-similar and independent of scale. Basically, a fractal is any pattern that reveals greater complexity as it is enlarged. Thus, fractals graphically portray the notion of ‘worlds within worlds’ which has obsessed Western culture from its tenth-century beginnings.”

I remember at University I would get all philosophical about fractals, insisting they were a basis for life as we know it. I would see fractals in clouds, snowflakes, tree leaves and everywhere in nature. For your inspiration today, I would like to share some stunning fractals photos below. These are courtesy of http://www.fractal-recursions.com.