Finding mathematical equations in nature

Creating shells out of nothing but mathematical equations, a computer scientist holds a mirror up to nature.

By Carl Zimmer
May 1, 1992 5:00 AMNov 12, 2019 5:40 AM

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From the blue-and-black symmetries of a butterfly TO the mazelike grooves of a brain coral, nature reveals itself as a great artist, switching off between painting and sculpture. Nature should also get credit, though, for being a first-class mathematician. The patterns and shapes of living things correspond to some of the most abstract ideas in math.

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