A complex geometric shape that exhibits self-similarity at every scale, meaning it looks similar when zoomed in or out. Fractals are characterized by infinite detail and often occur in nature, such as in coastlines, trees, and clouds.
Coined in 1975 by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot from Latin 'fractus' meaning 'broken' or 'fractured,' referring to the irregular, fragmented nature of these mathematical objects.
Fractals bridge the gap between mathematics and art, creating infinitely complex patterns from simple mathematical rules. They revolutionized our understanding of natural phenomena, showing that apparent randomness in nature often follows precise mathematical principles.
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