sierpinski carpet construction of the fourth iteration · sierpinski carpet. • to familiarize the...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
Fractals are mathematical objects whose basic structure is repeated at different sizes. The interest of these arose from the 1950s with the introduction of computers. The name derived from the Latin fractus meaning fragmented, Word is introduced in the 1970s by the French mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot.
Objectives
• To introduce the concept of fractal through a classic example as it is the Sierpinski carpet.
• To familiarize the student with its construction, based on the self‐similarity.
• To develop the manual and visual work. • To highlight the cooperative work, and
positive interdependence, as a way of getting a sizeable construction.
Sierpinski carpet
This fractal, published by the Polish mathematician Waclaw Sierpinski in 1916, is constructed by dividing a square in nine other side 1/3 of the primitive and eliminating square which occupies the central position, repeating this process in each of the squares that remain.
In each iteration, the number of squares is multiplied by 8 and instead the same side is 1/3 of the above. This produces a geometrical object with a gap of zero area but with infinite perimeter.
In the following table are collected data on the number of squares (side 2cm stickers) needed in each iteration, number of children, and scale construction height.
Iteration Number of squares
Children Carpet height
1 8
Construction of the fourth iteration
2 82= 64 1 18 cm 3 83= 512 8 54 cm 4 84= 4096 64 1.62 m 5 85= 32768 512 4.86 m 6 86= 262144 4096 14,58 m
7 87= 2097152 24576 43, 74 m
… … … …
Each participating Center built the 4th iteration displayed in the image. Attached templates of the 2nd iteration, in which appear the letters M (purple) and V (green), the colours of the stickers (stickers) that have to be used. You need 32 copies with the purple corners, and another 32 with green corners. Once concluded the process of pasting stickers and cut out each 18 cm squares. Paste with glue the squares on white continuous paper (2 m x 2 m), with the condition of alternating the green corners squares and purple ones. You have to respect the rule of formation: the central squares are removed at each scale.
Construction of the 5th iteration (in 8 centres)
By putting together the carpets from 8 centers, we can build the 5th iteration, which will reach a height of 4.86 meters (three times more than the 4th iteration).A total of 512 children have participated in this construction. The 5th iteration will be constructed next September 26, 2014, during the Night of Researchers, organized by the OTRI of the University of Almería, in the Avenida Federico García Lorca de Almería.
In the picture below you can see a simulation of 8 replicas of the same carpet.
Construction of the 6th iteration (in 64 centres)
This will be the look that will have the 6th iteration. To achieve this, we will need to bring 8 copies of the fifth iteration. This gigantic fractal will occupy a square area of nearly 15 meters. They involved 64 schools, with 4096 children, and employed 262,144 stickers in total. It is certainly a great challenge in which children (and adults) will appreciate the beauty and infinite fractal geometry.
The 6th iteration is to be mounted in Museum COSMOCAIXA, in Barcelona, during the celebration of the contest of popular science, Ciencia en Acción 2014, from 3 to 6 October 2014.
Registration
Schools, cultural associations, hospital classrooms, etc. can be enrolled by filling the application form available on the website of the Project. Participants may be children between 3 and 12 years old (mainly). Deadline for Spanish centers 15 July 2014; and for foreign centers, 15 September of 2014.
Registration fee: 10 Euro + shipping and handling of the material (variable between 2 and 10 euros).
It organizes
José Luis Rodríguez (UAL), David Crespo Alex Casteleiro and Carmen Sánchez Melero (Colegio Agave), Dolores Cárdenas Jiménez (CEIP San Fernando) and Lidia García López (IES Francisco Montoya).
They collaborate
University of Almería (Department of mathematics; Polytechnic School and Faculty of experimental sciences; Transfer of results and Research Office OTRI). SAEM Thales, Almeria.
More information
Coordinator: José L. Rodríguez, [email protected] Tel. (+ 34) 617666437.
http://topologia.wordpress.com http://matesdedavid.blogspot.com.es/