When you stumble upon something truly symmetrical in the wild, it can be a jarring experience that makes you feel like you’ve spotted a glitch in the Matrix. From the fractal patterns of a romanesco ...

To begin to understand what mathematicians and physicists see in the abstract structures of symmetries, let’s start with a familiar shape. We are fond of saying things are symmetric, but what does ...

This study shows that children up to the age of 7 spontaneously use symmetry in their drawings to express their knowledge about plant life. In the sample analysed, this is a very frequent strategy and ...

Receive emails about upcoming NOVA programs and related content, as well as featured reporting about current events through a science lens. Symmetry also has an aesthetic meaning, although this is ...

In the realm of high-performance IC (integrated circuit) design, symmetry is not just an aesthetic preference—it’s a critical factor for ensuring proper device functionality, especially in analog and ...

This blog comes from my discussions with Steve Savoie, a manufacturing and tooling engineer who spoke at last year’s International Boatbuilders Exhibition (IBEX). Steve has a background in both ...