Case Study 9 



Chaos Research and Applications 



Simple visual example of the patterns that Chaos finds in complexity. 



"Chaos" is used here as a term that refers to a 

 variety of new methods for dealing with nonlin- 

 ear interdependent systems. This class of com- 

 plex systems, noted for sensitivity to small 

 effects and seemingly erratic behavior, has been 

 difficult to comprehend using traditional meth- 

 ods and conceptualizations. The methods of 



chaos have proven to be remarkably effective in 

 revealing new forms of simplicity hidden within 

 complexity. This in turn has led to new under- 

 standings of how such systems operate. 

 Nonlinear systems phenomena are present in 

 many fields - from physics, engineering and 

 meteorology to medicine, psychology and eco- 



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