For details on contents, system requirements and how to get ChaosLab, click on the ChaosLab screen shot below. This image is a 3D view of the real and imaginary values of the complex function indicated at the top of the image.

ChaosLab is a teaching program for exploring the iteration of mathematical functions. Iteration is the process of taking the output from a function and putting it into the function as input. For example if the function were y=x*(1-x), we would put in an initial value of x, calculate the corresponding y, then set x equal to y and repeat the process for as long as we like. This simple process yields some intriguing results. ChaosLab allows the user to explore functions of complex numbers as well as real numbers.

ChaosLab is suitable for high school senior level and up. You may explore iteration though spider web maps, phase-control maps and escape time algorithms. The program includes an equation parser so you can examine systems of your own design as well as the classic Mandelbrot and Julia sets. We also tossed in a complex function plotter since many students are not familiar with the way complex functions map the complex plane onto itself. Teachers may use the included authoring tools to create lessons for use in the classroom or for independent study.