fractal

Definition: Curve or other object whose smaller parts are similar to the whole. * In practice, a fractal displays increasing complexity as it is viewed more closely and where the details bear a similarity to the whole e.g. a tree shows an irregular branched outline at one distance, closer up it shows the large branches, still closer, the branches can be seen to break into smaller branches and smaller branches. * The underlying mathematics can be used to generate interesting images: e.g Kai Power Tools Fractal Explorer is a plug-in for Photoshop that generates numerous fractals. * Term coined by Benoit Mandelbrot, working in 1970's.

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