Exploring mathematics: maths in nature and art - for iPad/Mac/PC

Manufacturing patterns

A short introduction to the content of this album.

Maths in Nature and Art

Transcript -- A short introduction to the content of this album.

Transcript -- Maths in Nature and Art

An introduction to a primitive mollusc, a triumph of natural engineering.

Spirals in nature

Transcript -- An introduction to a primitive mollusc, a triumph of natural engineering.

Transcript -- Spirals in nature

How to create a spiral

Transcript -- Ways of creating a mathematical spiral.

Transcript -- How to create a spiral

Transcript -- Using computers to design carpets.

Transcript -- Manufacturing patterns

Using the shadow’s path to register the passing of time.

How a sundial works

Transcript -- Using the shadow’s path to register the passing of time.

Transcript -- How a sundial works

Ensino

What does mathematics have to do with nature or art? The video tracks in this album trace the origin of the mathematics of chaos and describe how the chance discovery of fractals became the basis for some real - and revolutionary - commercial applications such as the fax and the modem. A closer look at ancient fabric designs and the spiral of a nautilus shell also reveals repeating patterns that can be analysed in a mathematical way. This material forms part of The Open University course MS221 Exploring mathematics.