This is what FRACTAL FAQ says - fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape, that can be divided in parts, each of which is a small-shaped copy of the whole. They are mathematical structures known as Sierpinski triangle, Koch snowflake, Peano curve, Mandelbrot set, Lorenz attractor... they tend sometimes to resemble nature's creatures or shapes, so by looking at them you might see flowers, clouds even Buddha in some cases. Objects in nature are not formed as squares or triangles - coastlines resemble fractals for instance.
Many create fractals for fun, many create them as a way of artistic expression but mathematicians use fractals to describe, for instance, organic materials instead of using curves and lines, model soil erosion and to analyze seismic patterns. Fractals seem very complex, with random shape, but many of them are generated by using simple formula. Of course, Fractals and Chaos are more-less new branches of maths, since they cannot be explored without powerful computers.But fractals also can be described as a bond between maths and arts. ...READ MORE