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An introduction to Fractals. Ginny Bohme Teachers’ Circle March 3, 2011. Why Study Fractals?. Algebra. Geometry. Lungs. Nature. Neurons. Fractals Are SMART: Science, Math & Art! www.FractalFoundation.org. Characteristics of Fractals. Self Similarity Seed~ initiator
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An introduction to Fractals Ginny Bohme Teachers’ Circle March 3, 2011
Why Study Fractals? Algebra Geometry Lungs Nature Neurons Fractals Are SMART: Science, Math & Art! www.FractalFoundation.org
Characteristics of Fractals • Self Similarity • Seed~ initiator • Iterative Process~ rule
Single Iteration ActivityThanks to Evan Maletsky • Seed- Equilateral Triangle • Iterative Process- Fold the top vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side, Then unfold.
2010 Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. • Reason abstractly and quantitatively. • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. • Model with mathematics. • Use appropriate tools strategically. • Attend to precision. • Look for and make use of structure. • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
1 unit 1 unit 1 unit Lengths in Triangles
Group Explorations • Biome Tree • ***Sierpinski Triangle • Sierpinski Carpet • Koch Snowflake
The Mandelbrot Set Wikipediazn+1 = zn2 + c
Benoît Mandelbrot1924- 2010 Over nearly seven decades, working with dozens of scientists, Dr. Mandelbrot contributed to the fields of geology, medicine, cosmology and engineering. He used the geometry of fractals to explain how galaxies cluster, how wheat prices change over time and how mammalian brains fold as they grow, among other phenomena. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17mandelbrot.html Complex Analytic Dynamics: Pierre Fatou (1878-1929)- iterative and recursive processes Gaton Julia (1893-1978)- iteration of rational functions
Resources • Fractal Pack- educator's guide • Cynthia Lanius Fractal Unit for Middle School