Question Details

MATH 142 Module 7 Discussion: Benoit Mandelbrot and his Famous Set
 "The Mandelbrot set—someone has called it the thumbprint of God—is one of the most beautiful and remarkable discoveries in the entire history of mathematics. With Arthur C. Clarke as narrator and interviews with a number of notable mathematicians, including Benoît Mandelbrot, this program graphically illustrates how simple formulas can lead to complicated results. It explains the set, what the set means, its internal consistency, and the revolutions in thought resulting from its discovery. Asked if the real universe goes on forever, Stephen Hawking defines its limit of smallness; the Mandelbrot set, on the other hand, may go on forever."

Films Media Group. (1994) Fractals: The Colors of Infinity. Films On Demand. Flash, http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=159&xtid=4976. (accessed March, 15 2011).
Discussion:
The goal of this discussion is to understand the importance of the Mandelbrot Set contribution to Trigonometry and Mathematics.
Benoit Mandelbrot, a French ex-patriot, explored a simple complex variable equation—an iteration, actually, that is referred to as the Mandelbrot Set. The set's implications and Mandelbrot's connections to other important scientists and mathematicians are huge, but you can uncover that story as you complete your task for your deliverable. It is sufficient to note that the Mandelbrot Set and its visual exploration was NOT POSSIBLE until 1980. The late Arthur C. Clarke (Links to an external site.), considered one of the top three science fiction and science fact writers of the last 60 years, produced a video on the Mandelbrot Set that you will view for this activity.
Your task:
View both videos below. The first, Fractals: The Colors of Infinity is a 52-minute FMG video. You can watch it in its entirety or view it in segments. Segments 1-3 should probably be viewed all at one time, these segments describe the essentials of the Mandelbrot set. Implications of this discovery will be in segments 4-14. The list of segments is on the right side of the web page. (If the video hyperlink takes you to the "Account Login" page, you do not need to create a login. Type 2636BA in the "Playlist Code" field.)
As you view the FMG video, take notes about your thoughts on the famous set and its implications. Your notes will help later when you write your summary.
 Fractals: The Colors of Infinity (00:52:00)
After you have viewed the FMG video, meet Mandelbrot himself in the 17-minute video below. It is quite informative, but light and entertaining at the same time.
Benoit Mandelbrot: Fractal and the art of roughness (Links to an external site.) 
The deliverable:
•	Write a summary about the video, Fractals: The Colors of Infinity and Mandelbrot's discovery (do not write a biography on Mandelbrot). Make it concise and concentrate on two or three main ideas in your submission. If your summary is over 500 words, you probably covered too much. This is not a term paper.
•	Post your initial submission in the discussion no later than Day 5 of the module's week. If the initial submission is made during Days 6 or 7, an academic penalty is applied, but not a severe one.
•	During the week, preferably Days 6 or 7, read all the initial submissions posted by your peers. Note that this part of the exercise is like touring an art exhibit. Perusing before Day 6 means you will likely miss some excellent initial submissions that make the Day 5 deadline.
•	Post meaningful comments on at least two of them. Keep in mind that your responses in the discussion are graded as strictly as your initial submission. No “me, too” follow-ups.
•	Compliment the contributors whose submissions interested you the most. Tell them why their submission impressed you. (No one- score will be influenced by the number of compliments).