How Mathematicians Think About Patterns

There are many kinds of pattern in mathematics and many ways to think about them. But when it comes to visual patterns, one viewpoint stands out; symmetry.

This talk explores some basic ideas about symmetry, and shows how it helps us to understand patterns in nature - such as the markings on animals and fish, how animals move, the shapes of sand dunes, and the six-sided snowflake.

This the second in a series of three lectures on Patterns. The other lectures are as follows:
    How the zebra got it its stripes by Professor Adrea Sella
    Patterns in Art by Professor Ben Quash