Science Fair Projects - Understanding Fractals Page 1 of 3

Topics > Mathematics & Computer Science > Geometry

Understanding Fractals

Table of Contents
Abstract &
Background Complexity level:
Materials and 8
Procedure Project cost ($):
Observation 20
Conclusion Time required:
More project videos 1 hour to prepare, 1 day for research
Material availability:
Easily found

Abstract Safety concerns:

Handle the paper cutter with care to avoid injury
Adult assistance is required.
The purpose of this project is
to provide us with a clear
understanding of what are
fractals, and how to
construct an image using
fractals.

Hypothesis

Fractals can be used to make

beautiful shapes and images.

Background

Fractals

A fractal is a repetition of a
simple geometric shape, at larger or smaller sizes repetitions of itself, in order to
create a pattern or a shape based on certain rules. Based on a set of rules, the
simple geometric shape can grow from one level to another, by adding on more
shapes to the pattern in the previous level. This process can be repeated an
infinite number of times.

Fractals can be used to mathematically reproduce on a computer various forms,

shapes and structure that are found in nature. Very complex, colorful and
beautiful images can be created on a computer using simple mathematical
formulae.

Shapes like squares, rectangles, triangle or a circle can be mathematically

defined.Until the discovery of fractals, objects found in nature like a leaf, flowers,
clouds, mountains, snowflakes and even our galaxy could not be mathematically
represented.

Fractals have many unique features and one of them is their infinite nature.
Fractals can be used to expand to infinitely large coordinates from where we are
now, to the edge of the universe. They can also be magnified to a microscopic
level to view infinite details within the fractal image.

Scientific Terms

Fractal, geometric, infinite

Materials

The materials required for our research:

- 1 large sheet of graph paper
- 1 ruler
- 1 paper cutter
- 1 thick (1mm) cardboard A4 size
- 1 mechanical pencil

Procedure

1. A hexagon template is made using a small sheet of cardboard. Draw and cut
out 6 hexagons of different sizes using the paper cutter. The suggested length of
the hexagon sides are 160mm, 80mm, 40mm, 20mm, 10mm and 5mm.

2. Using the hexagon template, draw a160mm hexagon in the center of the paper
as shown in figure 1 below. This is the first stage of the fractal image.

3. Proceed to draw the 80mm hexagons on the corners of the hexagon using the
template. There will be 6 hexagons drawn as shown in figure 1. This is the
completion of the second stage of the image.

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4. Proceed to draw 40mm hexagons around the six corners of the 6 hexagons
that were drawn in the second stage. There will be 36 hexagons drawn this time.
The third stage of the fractal image is now completed.

5. Proceed to add on the remaining 3 sizes of hexagons using your imagination.

An example is given below in figure 2. The positioning of the hexagons can be
done selectively to obtain a specific design or shape.

Observation

The results show that beautiful designs and creations that were previously unseen
and unimaginable, can be created using fractals. The design in Figure 2 below is
one such example of fractals using the simple hexagon shape in only 6 stages.

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Figure 2 – Example 6 stage fractal design using the hexagon shape

Conclusion

The hypothesis that fractals can be used to make beautiful shapes and images is
proven to be true. The image shown in figure 2 may yet be further expanded to
make it look even more beautiful and intricate. Adding colors will make it look
even more attractive.

In nature fractals can be used to define both chaos and harmony. Fractals can be
used to explain the geometric shapes of a storm cloud, the silhouette of
mountains and of raging hurricanes. Similarly, looking at the fern leaf, broccoli or
the strawberry, we can observe the same fractal working in symmetry.

Living organisms may be said, in a sense, to befractals made from a basic cell.
These cells are also fractals made from amino acids. The amino acids are also
fractals made from atoms at the lowest level!

Also consider

Try using other basic shapes like a square, circle or triangle of different sizes.

Try to complete your research using a computer to simulate the growth of the
fractals. Add colors to make the final result look more attractive.

References

Fractal - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal

Fractals – an introduction - http://arcytech.org/java//fractals/intro.shtml

What are fractals? - http://www.fractalarts.com/SFDA/whatarefractals.html

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Videos

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/print_project_1340_113 2/5/2018