Dan Bach

3D Math Artist
dansmathshop
Northern California, USA

I'm a former college math teacher from California. After using Mathematica for 25 years in the classroom, teacher workshops, and conference talks, I am now a 3D math artist and interactive book author. My students used to create mathematical graphics, movies, and sounds; either as class assignments or purely for pleasure. The present work involves Fourier series, trigonometry, and visual effects.

Square Wave Mountains
Square Wave Mountains
45 x 50 cm
Inkjet Print on Canvas
2019

Based on the Fourier Approximation of a square wave by trig functions, the x and y components are multiplied together to achieve a 3D function whose z-value spends most of its time near 1 or -1. Some fake water is added, and the whole thing has been zoom-blurred for your viewing pleasure. Can you tell how many sine terms were used? (click the More Info link to see this model in 3D!)

Sloppy Fourier Cube
Sloppy Fourier Cube
45 x 50 cm
Inkjet Print on Canvas
2019

This is a rough trig estimate of a regular cube. Each coordinate (x, y, z) is given by different Fourier square wave approximations. The functions have different periods, and the three coordinates mostly hang out near 1 or -1. This is a continuous path so the curve can't trace out just the cube edges. Why is that? (click More Info to view the sloppy cube on the beach!)