Mandelbrot set: (see last section of the book) (occurs in nature!) A simple fractal based on the equation: Z(n+1) = Zn*Zn+Z0 where Z is an arbitrary starting value: e.g. starting at Z0 = -2, we reach 2,2,2,2,2,2..... Z0's that stay below 2 are considered IN THE SET... Z0s that go outside of 2 are consider OUT OF THE SET. (this is called the escape set) (the faster a node leaves the set is its "temperature".) Consider -1. Is it in the Mandelbrot set? z0 = -1 z1= 1 - 1 = 0 z2 = -1 (we are in a dynamic equilibrium between -1,0...) so -1 is in the Mandelbrot set. Consider 1 z0 = 1 z1 = 1+ 1 = 2 z2 = 4+1 = 5.... (so 1 is NOT in the Mandelbrot set). ======================= But we can also have complex numbers in the Mandelbrot set. recall that (a+bi) squared = (asquared - bsquared + 2abi) Is i in the Mandelbrot set?? z0 = i z1 = z0squared + z0 = -1 + i z2 = z1squared + z0 = 0 + -2i + i = -i z3 = z2squared + z0 = 1 + i z4 = z3squared + z0 = (0 + 2i) + i = 3i (which is too big) thus i is NOT in the Mandelbrot set...