Science Television Productions 1989; 60 minutes; DVD ISBN-10: 1-878310-13-5 ISBN-13: 978-1-878310-13-2 List Price: US$25 Order Code: DVD/25
| In this captivating and richly illustrated DVD, Robert Devaney communicates his deep understanding as well as his enthusiasm for chaos, fractals, and dynamical systems. Starting at a level suitable for well-prepared high school students, he tells the mathematical story behind these fascinating topics. Equations and graphs are clearly shown with computer-generated characters, and Devaney's explanations are lucid and instructive. Illustrating the mathematics are forays into the colorful, unpredictable world of fractals and Julia sets. Devaney explains how the computer is used to generate the pictures and shows how the various colors are chosen for graphical representations. As an instructional tool, this DVD would be particularly useful because it describes a current area of intense mathematical activity. Though the mathematical background required is elementary, those at the collegiate level and beyond will appreciate this DVD for the clarity of exposition and the sheer beauty of the graphics. |