Cellular automaton
A cellular automaton is a mathematical model used to simulate complex systems with simple rules. Imagine a grid of squares, where each square can be "on" or "off." The state of each square changes based on its neighbors according to predefined rules. Over time, these simple interactions can lead to sophisticated patterns and behaviors, often resembling natural processes. Cellular automata are studied in fields like physics, biology, and computer science to understand phenomena such as population dynamics, crystal formation, and even traffic flow. They illustrate how complexity can arise from simplicity in systematic evolution.
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A cellular automaton is a grid of cells, each of which can be in a specific state, such as on or off. These cells update their states simultaneously based on simple rules that consider the states of their neighboring cells. This process creates complex patterns and behaviors over time from simple initial conditions. Cellular automata are used to model various systems, such as population dynamics, traffic flow, and even certain phenomena in physics, making them a valuable tool in mathematics and computer science for studying complex systems and emergent behavior.