---
title: "Simple GIFs That Teach You Complex Math Concepts"
description: "Dave Whyte is a PhD candidate who is currently studying the physics of foam. He is also an amazing animator. His geometric gifs are more than just beautiful; many of them also explain mathematical concepts in simple (but elegant) terms. His Tumblr, Bees & Bombs, has hundreds of gifs that he has posted over the..."
date: "2014-09-15"
modified: "2014-09-15"
authors:
  - name: "Jolene Creighton"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jolene-creighton"
url: "https://futurism.com/simple-gifs-teach-complex-math-concepts"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Simple GIFs That Teach You Complex Math Concepts

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fractal-2.gif?quality=85>)

Dave Whyte is a PhD candidate who is currently studying the physics of foam. He is also an amazing animator. His geometric gifs are more than just beautiful; many of them also explain mathematical concepts in simple (but elegant) terms. His Tumblr, [Bees & Bombs](<http://beesandbombs.tumblr.com/>), has hundreds of gifs that he has posted over the years. [His Twitter ](<https://twitter.com/beesandbombs>)also has several posts that contain his source code (in case you want to try your hand at [processing)](<http://www.processing.org/>). You can also hit him up for some[ freelance work](<https://dribbble.com/beesandbombs>).

Below are some of our favorite animations from Whyte's and others' collections. Be sure to click the link after the definition to get more information.

## 1. This Is A Virtual Torus

The single-holed "ring" [torus](<http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Torus.html>) is known in older literature as an "anchor ring." It can be constructed from a rectangle by gluing both pairs of opposite edges together with no twists ([Wolfram.MathWorld](<http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Torus.html>))

[![Tortus](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xutKlx1.gif>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xutKlx1.gif>)

## 2. How Pendulums Work

A [Pendulum](<http://www.calacademy.org/products/pendulum/page1.htm>) is something hanging from a fixed point which, when pulled back and released, is free to swing down by force of gravity and then out and up because of its inertia ([Calacademy](<http://www.calacademy.org/products/pendulum/page1.htm>)).

[![Pendulum GIF](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Pendulum-GIF.gif>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Pendulum-GIF.gif>)

## 3. This Is A Cube

A [cube](<http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/cube-root.html>) is a three-dimensional solid object bounded by six square faces, facets or sides, with three meeting at each vertex ([MathsIsFun](<http://www.mathsisfun.com/aboutmathsisfun.html>)).

[![Cube](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Cube1.gif>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Cube1.gif>)

## 4. Here's The Difference Between a Circle and a Sphere

A [circle and sphere](<http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-circle-and-vs-sphere/>) are both round in shape but whereas a circle is a figure, a sphere is an object. You can compare the two as a drawing of a tennis ball on a piece of paper and the ball itself in real life. A circle is a 2D figure whereas a sphere is a 3D object having volume ([DifferenceBetween](<http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-circle-and-vs-sphere/>)).

[![Circle vs Sphere (GIF)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Circle-vs-Sphere-GIF.gif>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Circle-vs-Sphere-GIF.gif>)

## 5. How To Make A Near Fractal

Fractals are geometric figures that typically display self-similar patterns. The term “self-similarity” can be most readily understood by thinking of a camera that zooms in on an image. Typically, when you zoom in on a photograph, you see finer points, different details, and new structures. Not so with fractals. When you zoom in on a true fractal, no new detail appears. Nothing changes. Rather, the same pattern repeats over and over (FQTQ). This last one comes from [Victor Doval](<https://dribbble.com/shots/1722954-Geometries-in-geometries?list=users&offset=0>). See his work [here](<https://dribbble.com/victordoval>) and [here](<http://www.produccionesluminosas.com/>).

[![fractal 2](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/fractal-2.gif>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/fractal-2.gif>)

---

*Be sure to check out more of Whyte's work at his [Tumblr blog](<http://beesandbombs.tumblr.com/p://>). However, be warned, you may find yourself roaming about his many gifs for hours...so consider canceling your day plans.*

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/jolene.creighton>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolenecreighton>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/sciencejolene>)