Fractals: Endlessly Repeated Geometrical Figures

by Hans Lauwerier, Sophia Gill-Hoffstadt (Translator)

Fractals are shapes in which an identical motif repeats itself on an ever diminishing scale. A coastline, for instance, is a fractal, with each bay or headland having its own smaller bays and headlands--as is a tree with a trunk that separates into two smaller side branches, which in their turn separate into side branches that are smaller still. No longer mathematical curiosities, fractals are now a vital subject of mathematical study, practical application, and popular interest. For readers interested in graphic design, computers, and science and mathematics in general, Hans Lauwerier provides an accessible introduction to fractals that makes only modest use of mathematical techniques. Lauwerier calls this volume a "book to work with." Readers with access to microcomputers can design new figures, as well as re-create famous examples. They can start with the final chapter, try out one of the programs described there (preferably in a compiled version such as TURBO BASIC), and consult the earlier chapters for whatever is needed to understand the fractals produced in this way. The first chapter, which builds on the relationship of binary number systems to the "tree fractal" described above, is the best place to start if one has no computer. There will be much to enjoy on the way, including the beautiful color illustrations.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Nonfiction, Reference

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1991

Reviews

[Steppenwulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this for 1,50 euro in a 2nd hand shop. Its from 1989 ! Time of the first PC's. It has an appendix with a lot of GW Basic programs. The beauty of mathematics. The first baby steps of computer graphics. The nostalgia of DOS. It was the time grandfather had to put a lot of floppy disks in his "computer" before it even could talk to you. What is a "floppy disk" grandpa ? I already had a lot of fun installing DOSBox on my Windows 10. Next going to translate some GW Basic programs to Java. I know, I am getting sentimental. I will stop now.

[Santiago Zubieta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could only understand some parts because it was in Dutch and I didn't know it very well, still it is more visual than anything. It feels very retro, it even came with some code annex print-outs made with a dot-matrix printer! It is a 30+ year old book and it shows, but the fractals' math within it is timeless.

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. The prose is your basic academic droning, not much there you couldn't find on wikipedia, but the pictures tell the whole story.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I inherited this book from a colleague. It is a simple introduction to fractals. It includes some basic information on what fractals are, the situations in which they arise, and how to program your ancient DOS computer to produce pictures of fractals. For a mathematician the book is too light-weight to be of interest, even if one wants a quick intro. For anyone else I don't think it is written and organized in a particularly enticing way. So, I honestly don't see who the audience would be, except perhaps a computer geek who wants to make some fractal pictures on an old DOS computer.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay book, but kind of boring, even for people who pick it up with a lot of interest in the topic.