Fractals for the Classroom: Strategic Activities Volume Three

This third and final volume of Strategic Activities on fractal geometry and chaos theory focuses upon the images that for many people have provided a compelling lure into an investigation of the intricate properties embedded within them. By themselves the figures posses fascinating features, but the mechanisms by which they are formed also highlight significant approaches to modeling natural processes and phenomena. The general pattern and specific steps used to construct a fractal image illustrated throughout this volume, comprise an iterated function system. The objective of this volume is to investigate the processes and often surprising results of applying such systems. These strategic activities have been developed from a sound instructional base, stressing the connections to the contemporary curriculum as recommended in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics. Where appropriate, the activities take advantage of the technological power of the graphics calculator. The contents of this volume joined with the details contained in the prior two books. Together they provide a comprehensive survey of fractal geometry and chaos theory. The dynamic nature of the research and the experimental characteristics of related applications provides an engaging paradigm for classroom activity.