September 22, 2021

Individual Task

Based on the three (3) available videos above, write (in outline/summary form) five to seven lessons
learned. Limit your submission to up to 52 words only.

Due: September 24, 2021 10:29 am

FRACTALS (Lecture)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTzawiBJGYY

Fractals

 self-similar repeating patterns

 derived from the Latin word ‘fractus’ which means fragmented or broken

Characteristics

 Self-

similarity – its parts have the same form or structure as the whole, at least approximately, if not
exactly. That is, part of the object, when magnified, looks like a copy of the whole image
 Fractal dimension – the associated degree of complexity of shape, structure and texture of
fractals are quantified in terms of fractal dimension
(a) a measure of the space-filling capacity of a pattern that tells how a fractal scales differently
than the space it is embedded in. In a rough sense, it measures “how many points” lie in a
given set
(b) does not have to be an integer. For a similar object, the fractal dimension is given by
log ⁡(number of self −similar pieces)
D=
log ( magnificationerror )
log ⁡N
D=
1 where s is the scaling factor
log ()
s
 (c) For non-perfectly similar objects like coastline, some use the grid counting method or box-
counting method at different scales
(d) The bigger the fractal dimension, the rougher is the structure.
- A curve with a fractal dimension near 1, say 1.10, behaves quite like an ordinary line, but
a curse with fractal dimension 1.9 winds convolutedly through space very nearly like a
surface.
- Similarly, a surface with fractal dimension of 2.1 fills space very much like an ordinary
surface, but one with a fractal dimension of 2.9 folds and flows to fill space rather nearly
like a volume.
- The value of D quantifies the pattern’s inherent scaling, but does not uniquely describe
nor provide enough information to reconstruct it.
 Indifferentiable – as a mathematical equation, a fractal is nowhere differentiable
- An infinite fractal curve can be conceived of as winding through space differently from
an ordinary line—although it is still one-dimensional, its fractal dimension indicates that
it also resembles a surface.

Geometric Fractals

 They can be made by repeating a simple process involving plane transformations

 When a process is repeated over and over, each repetition is called iteration.

(1)

Cantor Set
- Discovered in 1874 by Henry John Stephen Smith and introduced by German
mathematician Georg Cantor in 1883
 - Each segment is replaced by two segments. Thus, N = 2. Each new segment is 1/3 of the
segment length from the previous level, so s = 1/3. Therefore, the dimension is
log2
D= =0.63
log3
(2) Sierpinski Triangle
- Named after the Polish mathematician Waclaw Sierpinski who discovered and
investigated it in 1915
(3) Sierpinski Carpet
- A famous fractal first described in 1916 by Waclaw Sierpinski (1882-1969).
- Used in designing antennas in cellphones as the number of scales allows for a wide
range of receptions
- The original square is reduced to eight smaller squares in the next level, so N = 8. The
magnification factor is 3 (or the scaling factor is 1/3) because the side length of these
squares can be multiplied by 3 to find the side length of the original shape, s = 1/3. Thus,
its dimension is
log8
D= =1.89
log3
(4) Menger Sponge
- A famous fractal solid that is the three-dimensional equivalent of the one-dimensional
Cantor set and the two-dimensional Sierpinski carpet
- First described by Karl Menger in 1926
Steps:
(1) Put 20 cubes together to form another cube with the center parts removed.
(2) Using the same pattern, 20 step 1 cubes can be put together to form a step 2
structure with 20*20 = 400 cubes.
(3) Twenty step 2 cubes form a step 3 cube with 20*20*20=8,000 cubes. The cube is
being implied of its volume.
- At any stage k, there are 20k cubes. Also, at each stage, the edge-length of the last cube
is reduced by 1/3 and replicated 20 times. Thus, N = 20, s = 1/3, and
log20
D= =2.7 3
log3
(5) Koch Snowflake
- First appeared in a paper published by the
Swedish mathematician Niels Fabian Helge
von Koch in 1906.
- Each segment is replaced by the motif that
has 4 pieces, so N = 4.
- Each new segment is 1/3 of the segment
length from the previous level s = 1/3. Thus,
log 4
D= =1.2 6
log3

Fractals in Algebra
Fractals can also be created algebraically by repeatedly calculating a simple equation. Because the
calculations are done many times, computers are necessary. Branching fractals are also observed in
algebraic fractals. It is a never-ending process called bifurcation.

(1) The Mandelbrot Set

- Set of points in the complex plane, the boundary of which forms a fractal.
Mathematically, the Mandelbrot set can be generated using a very simple iterative
formula, called the quadratic recurrence equation, applied to points in complex plane.
Z n+1=z 2n +C
- One of the most intricate and beautiful images in mathematics discovered by Benoit
Mandelbrot in 1980. Mandelbrot’s discover and popularization of this image is
responsible for the development of fractal science.
- Mandelbrot set was discovered shortly after the invention of personal computer, the
time when Mandelbrot began his research in IBM.

(2) Julia Sets

- Discovered by Gaston Maurice Julia and were close to Mandelbrot set. The iterative
function used to produce them is the fame as that of the Mandelbrot set. They differ
only in the way the formula is used.
- In every Mandelbrot is an infinite number of Julia sets.
Applications of Fractals

 Solving chromosomes’ structure fractals

 In computer science, fractals are used to create textures, landscapes, and other intricate models
 Engineers and manufacturers use fractals in creating new devices such as microchips, antennas
 Fractal analysis in assessing health of blood vessels in cancerous tumors as well as the condition
of lungs in cases of emphysema or other pulmonary illnesses.

Fractals Around Us

Most people are extremely familiar with fractals because they are seen throughout the world. Here are
some of the most stunning examples of fractals in nature

 Snowflake
 Unfurling fern
 Nautilus Shell
 Gecko’s Foot
 Frost Crystals
 Angelica Flowerhead
 Lightning Bolt
 Romanesco Broccoli

The Fractal Menger Sponge and Pi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pj8_zjelDo

Fractal – Zero surface area but infinite perimeter

Menger sponge – zero volume but infinite surface area

Wallace Infinite Product or the Wallace Sieve

The square – area of pi; radius of 1; same surface

area as a standard-issue garden variety unit-circle

If done 3D, its volume is 4/3 of pi.

The Fractal Menger Sponge and Pi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pj8_zjelDo

Fractals – from the Latin word “to break”