2024 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Sandra DeLozier Coleman
Artists
Sandra DeLozier Coleman
Poet, Writer, Artist, Retired Professor of Mathematics
University of Connecticut, Avery Point
Groton, Connecticut
Statement
In April of 2023 SIAM News offered an algorithmic way to answer the question: How different is this flower from that flower? Four scientists have developed a function that returns numeric values for various levels of precision in near-symmetries in nature and have run tests on computer images and photos. I wondered if a hand-drawn image of near-symmetric flowers might fit somewhere between the computer images and the photos in their study.
Artworks
The function the team developed uses algorithmic analysis of transformation information (TI) to identify invariant elements among near-symmetries. They explain that the more precisely symmetric two images are the closer to zero the TI value will be. I decided to try creating a free-hand drawing of a set of four imaginary flowers that would appear to be almost identical. To make the flowers look alike, all four images had to be drawn algorithmically. I began by marking the centers of four circles and then developed the flower-like elements one-by-one, being sure to draw the same shape in each flower before adding another element. I wonder what value a TI analysis might return for the level of precision in this fanciful set of four flowers.