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Fractals
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Polyhedra |
Tiling &
Symmetry |
Fractals |
General Interest
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Fractal Geometry of Nature,
by Benoit B. Mandelbrot
Imagine an equilateral triangle. Now, imagine smaller equilateral triangles
perched in the center of each side of the original triangle--you have a Star of
David. Now, place still smaller equilateral triangles in the center of each of
the star's 12 sides. Repeat this process infinitely and you have a Koch
snowflake, a mind-bending geometric figure with an infinitely large perimeter,
yet with a finite area. This is an example of the kind of mathematical puzzles
that this book addresses.
The Fractal Geometry of Nature is a mathematics text. But buried in the
deltas and lambdas and integrals, even a layperson can pick out and
appreciate Mandelbrot's point: that somewhere in mathematics, there is an
explanation for nature. It is not a coincidence that fractal math is so good at
generating images of cliffs and shorelines and capillary beds. [review, amazon.com]
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Fractals
Everywhere, by Michael F. Barnsley
The new edition features additional problems and tools emphasizing fractal
applications, as well as a new answer key to the text exercises. Fractals
Everywhere is the most comprehensive, up-to-date volume on fractals
available today. [synopsis, amazon.com]
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