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What is a fractal? Guide Part 23

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BINANCE:BTCUSDT   Bitcoin / TetherUS
What is a fractal?

The fractal indicator is based on an easy cost pattern that is often seen in financial markets. Outside of business, a fractal is a frequent geometric pattern that repeats itself across time frames. From this criterion, the fractal indicator was devised. The indicator isolates the likely turning points on a cost chart. Then draw arrows to indicate the life of a pattern. The bullish fractal pattern suggests that the cost could go up. A bearish fractal suggests that the cost could unload. Bullish fractals remain marked with a down arrow and bearish fractals remain marked with an up arrow.

Summary:

A bullish fractal happens once there is a low with 2 higher low bars / candles on either side.

A bearish fractal happens once there is a high point with 2 lower bars / candles on either side.

An up arrow marks the location of a bearish fractal, while a down arrow marks the location of a bullish fractal.

The arrows are drawn above or below the central bar (high or low point), even when the pattern is 5 bars. There is no way for a trader to get into a trade on the arrow as the arrow only arises if the next 2 bars make up the pattern.

If someone traded fractal signals, the access could be the opening cost of the third bar after the arrow.

The fractal indicator formula contains multiple conditional if statements.

For a tall fractal swing we use the following formulas:

High (N)> High (N − 2)
High (N)> High (N − 1)
High (N)> High (N + 1)
High (N)> High (N + 2)

For a low fractal oscillation we use the following formulas:

Low (N) <Low (N − 2)
Low (N) <Low (N − 1)
Low (N) <Low (N + 1)
Low (N) <Low (N + 2)

Where:

N = High / Low of the current price bar
N - 2 = High / Low of the price bar in two periods to the left of N
N - 1 = High / low of the price bar in a period to the left of N
N + 1 = High / Low of the price bar in a period to the right of N
N + 2 = High / Low of the price bar in two periods to the right of N

How to calculate the fractal indicator

Calculating fractals has more to do with visual acuity than math.

Isolate a high / low point (N) on the graph.

If there are 2 lower highs to the left of the major or 2 higher lows to the left of the low (N-2 and N-1), there is a viable pattern. The pattern still requires 2 more bars to the right to confirm.

If 2 lower highs are generated from the major, then a bearish fractal (N + 1 and N + 2) is completed. If 2 higher lows are generated from the low, a bullish fractal is completed.

What the fractal indicator tells you

The fractal indicator will generate signals often. The life of a fractal is not exactly fundamental because the pattern is quite common.

The fractal suggests the probability of a trend reversal. This is because fractals are essentially "U-shaped" in cost. A bearish fractal causes the cost to move up and then down, forming an inverted U. A bullish fractal happens once the cost moves down but then starts to rise, forming a U.

Since fractals occur so frequently and many of the signals are not reliable access points, fractals are primarily filtered using some other form of technical study. Bill Williams had also invented the crocodile indicator that isolates trends. By combining fractals with trend study, a trader can dictate trading only bullish fractal signals as the cost trend is bullish. If the trend is bearish, it is feasible that they only go short on bearish fractal signals, exemplifying.

Fractals also have the possibility to use with other indicators, such as pivot aspects or Fibonacci retracement levels. A fractal is only acted upon if it is aligned with one of these other indicators and potentially with the direction of cost in the longer term. For example, suppose that a stock is trending upward. The cost is retreating and reaching a 50% Fibonacci retracement degree. Since the trend is bullish and the cost is around a Fibonacci retracement degree, the trader will place a trade if a bullish fractal forms.

The difference between the fractal indicator and the chart patterns

The fractal indicator is unique in that it identifies a cost pattern and marks it on the chart. Fractals are specific 5-bar patterns. Chart patterns also have the ability to draw on the chart, even though they are not limited to 5 cost bars. Chart patterns also integrate many different ways, such as triangles, rectangles, and wedges, to number various. While certain software programs will mark chart patterns on a chart, most cartographers discover and isolate chart patterns by hand.

Limitations of the use of the fractal indicator

The main problem with fractals is that there are several. They happen often and attempting to trade all of them will immediately deplete a trading account due to loss of trades. Such are called wrong signals or wrong signals. Therefore, filter the signals with any other indicator or form of study.

The arrows for the indicator are typically drawn above the high or low point, which is the middle of the fractal, not where the fractal completes. Consequently, arrows have the ability to visually lie to you. Since the pattern is actually filling in 2 bars to the right of the arrow, the first point of available income after seeing an arrow is the opening cost of the third bar to the right of the arrow.

Introduction to fractals

Once individuals hear the term "fractal", they commonly consider it complicated mathematics. It is not what we are talking about here. Fractals also refer to a frequent pattern passing through major and chaotic cost movements.

Fractals are made up of 5 or more bars. The rules for detecting fractals are as follows:

A bearish turning point happens once there is a pattern with the highest high in the middle and 2 lowest highs on each side.

A bullish turning point happens once there is a pattern with the lowest low in the middle and 2 higher lows on each side.

The fractals below are 2 examples of perfect patterns. Keep in mind that they have the possibility of passing several other less perfect patterns, however this main pattern must be left intact for the fractal to be valid.

The obvious problem here is that fractals are lagging indicators. You cannot make a fractal drawing until we have 2 days of investment. Nonetheless, the more significant reversals will continue for more bars, benefiting the trader. When the pattern is generated, the cost is expected to rise following a bullish fractal, or fall after a bearish fractal.

Apply fractals to the business

Most of the charting platforms now award fractals as a trading indicator. This means that operators do not need to search for the pattern. Apply the indicator to the chart and the program will highlight all the patterns. By doing this, operators will notice an immediate problem - this pattern happens often.

Fractals are best applied in conjunction with other indicators or ways of studying. A common assertion indicator used with fractals is the crocodile. It is an instrument built through the use of various moving averages. The chart below shows a long-term uptrend with the cost being preserved predominantly above the crocodile's teeth (mean moving average). Since the trend is bullish, bullish signals could be used to create buy signals.

While it's a bit confusing, a bearish fractal is primarily drawn on a chart with an up arrow above it. Bullish fractals are drawn with a down arrow below them. Therefore, if you are using fractals in a general uptrend, look for the fractal arrows down (if you are using a fractal indicator provided on most charting platforms). If you are looking for bearish fractals to trade in a larger downtrend, look for upward fractal arrows.

Sometimes modifying to a longer time frame will decrease the proportion of fractal signals, leaving a cleaner look on the chart, making it easier to spot trade opportunities.

This system grants tickets, however it is the responsibility of the merchant to maintain control of the danger. In the above situation, the pattern is not recognized until the cost has started to rise from a current low. Consequently, a stop loss could be below a current low when a trade is made. If you go short, along the length of a downtrend, you could put a stop loss above the existing highest. This is just a sample case of where to put a stop loss.

Another tactic is to use Fractals with Fibonacci retracement levels. One of the drawbacks with fractals is which of the occurrences to swap. And one of the drawbacks with Fibonacci retracement levels is what degree of retracement to use. Combining both will decrease the modalities, because a Fibonacci degree will only trade if a fractal reversal is created outside of that degree.

Traders also tend to focus on trades with certain Fibonacci ratios. This can vary by trader, however let's mention that a trader prefers to go long, along a larger uptrend, once the cost pulls back to the 61.8% retracement degree. Fractals could add to the tactic - the trader only executes trades if a fractal reversal is generated near the 61.8% retracement, and each of the other conditions are met.

The table below shows this in action. Cost is in a general uptrend and then backs up. Cost forms a bullish fractal reversal near the 0.618 degree of the Fibonacci retracement tool. When the fractal is visible (two days from the low), an extensive trade is initiated in alignment with the long-term uptrend.

Example:

BTC, had a rise, with a strong bearish candle, then a strong rise, and I will use this retracement for the entire trend, prioritizing levels like.

0.382.
0.5.
0.618

Because they are the most common in a decline, although it should be noted that the volatility of these assets prevents a good analysis of it. So please complement yourself with different tools that we have given throughout the guide.


Obtaining profits could also involve the use of fractals. For example, if going long in a bullish fractal, a trader could exit the position when a bearish fractal occurs. In addition, other exit procedures could be used, such as profit ends or a trailing stop loss.

Extra considerations on the use of fractals

Here are several things to remember when using fractals.

- They are lagging indicators.

- Since fractals are very common, it is better to combine them with other indicators or tactics. They should not be trusted in isolation.

- The longer the time span of the chart, the more reliable the reversal is going to be. In addition, it is essential to consider that the longer the period of time, the smaller the proportion of generated signals will be.

- It is better to draw fractals in various time frames. For example, only trade short-term fractals in the direction of long-term fractals. As discussed, focus on long trade signals along the major uptrends and focus on short trade signals along the most relevant downtrends.

- Most charting platforms now integrate fractals in the indicator list.

Conclution:

Fractals have the potential to be useful tools once used in conjunction with other indicators and techniques. Fractals have the possibility to use in many different ways, and each trader can discover his own alteration of it. Using an Alligator indicator is one choice and another is to use Fibonacci retracement levels. While some merchants have the ability to like fractals, others may not. They are not a requirement for the famous business and should not be trusted exclusively.

It should be added that this tool is usually used with a very useful indicator. We will see that in the next part of the guide.
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