Fractals are complex geometric shapes that commonly exhibit the property of self-similarity.
The term fractal was coined by the Polish-born mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot. Since its introduction in 1975, the concept of the fractal has given rise to a new system of geometry that has had a significant impact not only on mathematics but also on such diverse fields as physical chemistry, physiology, and fluid mechanics. A self-similar object is one whose component parts resemble the whole. This reiteration of irregular details or patterns occurs at progressively smaller scales and can continue indefinitely, so that each part of each part, when magnified, will look basically like the object as a whole. This fractal phenomenon can be readily seen in such objects as snowflakes and tree barks.