What Is A Fractal (and what are they good for)?

Fractals are complex, never-ending patterns created by repeating mathematical equations. Yuliya, a undergrad in Math at MIT, delves into their mysterious properties and how they can be found in technology and nature.

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made with love at MIT
Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA, MIT
Hosted by: Yuliya Klochan
Written by: Elizabeth Choe & Yuliya Klochan
Additional Scripting by: George Zaidan
Content Reviewer: Dr. Kwang Don Choe

Executive Producer & Doodles: Elizabeth Choe
Director: George Zaidan
Camera: Adam Morrell
Editor & Motion Graphics: Per Hoel

Theme song: Anthony Thomas & Neil Aggarwal

Special thanks:
MIT Radio Club, Prof. John Essignmann & Ellen Essignmann, Dr. Kwang Don Choe, Max Imakaev

[chrismcguirk]

This is like adding 1/10th to the previous number like 1+0.1+0.01+0.001 and never making 2

[richardyoung]

You deliver a clear and understandable message. Nice job!

[leomasciale]

A short video, but with large amounts of clear precise information on the subject. Extremely well done.

[sonofgodsdad]

Everything is made of math.

Acid taught me that.

[KILLERSMITH]

Very very very underrated video... This is a complex study involving years of research, yet communicated in a perfect, simple as well as interesting way...

[Moepowerplant]

Enough love triangles! Let's have a LOVE FRACTAL!

[Jamie-mylb]

1:18 the perimeter is unbounded doesn't follow from the equation shown, which doesn't account for decreasing side length. The math still works out if you write out the full equation:
lim_n->inf ( 3 * 4^n / 3^n )
= lim_n->inf ( 3 * (4/3)^n )
= inf
Nitpicky but needed if you want to do the same thing to show finite area.

[Logjam]

Listening to smart people is difficult for a simpleton.

[drikast]

Well organized, informative and straight to the point. Thanks MIT and Yuliya.

[vexcarius]

Humans are like fractals, we occupy a finite area, yet we have infinite potentials inside.

[tiffanyzyp]

Wow wow wo ! You are making this stuff understandable which seemed so beyond my reach. Thank you for the great explanation!

[TarePandaHelp]

Im tripping on mushrooms right now and my mind is blown. Its so beautiful.

[The.Pickle]

First time ever hearing about fractals and the statement "infinite perimeter but a finite area" has broken my brain !
Can someone think of an explanation that a dummy like me would understand?
Also, 3:49 if you like science and comedy check out the British satire show "Look Around You, " it pokes fun at the educational science videos we used to get in the 70's/80's, it's really weird and funny.

[ramjet]

Julia, This was the best video I've ever seen on Antennas and was exactly what I was looking for.

[mddell]

*Love the fact that I'm able to easily understand every word you spoke. Thank you. I really enjoyed the way you laid all those facts out! I'm looking forward to seeing you again.* 👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍

[victoryfirst]

What would be the best whiskers pattern for a Channel Master TV antenna Yulia ?? The CM antenna has whiskers that are V-shaped like when you give the peace sign with your fingers. I am using the antenna to receive VHF-UHF signals for free to the air TV reception. Thanks

[spadeacer]

If fractals have infinite perimiter, are these so-called "fractal antennas" only objects that *resemble* fractals?

[RecruitingMaven]

Thanks for delivering such a clear and concise explanation of fractals. Well done!

[sadeceyoutube]

Thanks for explain me this loop how was working.

[samarthraizada]

That helped straighten things out. Thank you Yuliya. I was kinda confused on the iterations in Jurassic Park, but you explained it so simply.