"Fractal geometry is not just a branch of mathematics, but one that helps everyone to see the same world differently."
Benoit B. Mandelbrot
Everybody who has played with fractal images knows about the "Mandelbrot set". Mandelbrot is one of the most fascinating figures of our time. He calls himself "a physicist also, and an economist, and an artist of sorts, and...."
By 1975, he had developed the theory of fractals, and publications by him and others made fractal geometry accessible to a wider audience. The "Mandelbrot Set" has become the source of stunning color Computer Graphics images. You can read a wonderful article about the genius who has changed math forever at http://www.fractalwisdom.com/FractalWisdom/fractal.html
If you are in the mood to know more about fractals - http://www.fractal.org/Bewustzijns-Besturings-Model/Fractals-Useful-Beauty.htm has a very "human" explanation of two of the most important properties of fractals -- self-similarity and non-integer dimensions. It is written in such a way that almost anybody can understand the thinking behind this wonderous theory.
If you are not ready to get into the extensive mathematics, at least look at these wonderful pictures and you will begin to think that mathematical equations are more than just a collection of numbers.
View wonderful pictures by Hospitalera: Beautiful Fractals
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