Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Mandelbrot set is a complex fractal defined by the iteration of the complex quadratic polynomial $z_{n+1} = z_n^2 + c$. It is known for its intricate and infinitely detailed boundary.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The Mandelbrot set is defined in the complex plane and consists of all points $c$ for which the orbit of 0 under iteration remains bounded.
A point $c$ belongs to the Mandelbrot set if, when iterating $z_{n+1} = z_n^2 + c$, starting with $z_0 = 0$, the sequence does not tend to infinity.
The boundary of the Mandelbrot set exhibits self-similarity, meaning smaller copies of the entire set can be found within it.
The escape time algorithm is commonly used to render images of the Mandelbrot set, coloring each point based on how quickly it escapes to infinity.
Newton’s Method can be applied in complex dynamics to find roots that help illustrate areas inside or outside the Mandelbrot set.
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Related terms
Complex Plane: A mathematical concept where each point represents a complex number; it has a real axis and an imaginary axis.
Fractal: A self-similar pattern that repeats at every scale and can be described by recursive algorithms.
Newton's Method: $$An iterative numerical technique used to find approximate solutions to real-valued functions. In calculus, it's often employed to find roots.$$