L. Charles Biehl

February 1999, Volume 92, Issue 2, Page 128

Abstract:
Performing analysis on mathematically generated models of natural phenomena can provide insight into the properties of these phenomena. This article is the second of two parts. The first article, "Cellular Automata and Modeling Natural Phenomena", appeared in the November 1998 issue of the Mathematics Teacher. In that article, students used probability and cellular automata to generate fairly realistic models of forest-fire-burn patterns and to develop profiles of percolating oil spills. The activities in this investigation use the mathematical models of forest fires and oil spills generated in the activities in the first article.

Classification:
Connections/Applications
Teaching
Activities

Additional Keywords:
Activities, Connections