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DISCLAIMER

These unpolished learning modules were compiled and prepared for personal use of students in GEC
05: Mathematics in the Modern World of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) ONLY, and not
as a reference material. Unauthorized distribution of the modules is not allowed. The topics included
are given in summary form and does not claim to be complete. The instructors do not claim
ownership of all the contents since it was taken from several resources including books, journals, and
the internet.

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 Table of Contents

Module 1: Mathematics in our World ..................................................................................................... 5

I. Understanding Mathematics ........................................................................................................ 6
II. Math, Nature, and Arts .............................................................................................................. 10
III. Fibonacci Sequence, Proportion, and Golden Ratio ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Module 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
I. Characteristics of Mathematical Language....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
II. Expressions vs Sentences ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
III. Conventions in Mathematical Language......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV. Sets, Functions, Relations, and Binary Operations ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
V. Logic ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Module 3: Problem Solving and Reasoning ................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
I. Polya’s Strategy ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
II. Problem Solving Strategies .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
III. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV. Mathematical Problems Involving Patterns.................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
V. Recreational Problems using Mathematics .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Module 4: Mathematics of Finance............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
I. Simple and Compound Interest ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
II. Credit Cards and Consumer Loans................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
III. Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Module 5: Managing and Understanding Data ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
I. Overview on Data Management ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
II. Understanding Data using Descriptive Statistics…………………………………………………………79
III. Understanding Data using Inferential Statistics…………………………………………………………79

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 Module 1
MATHEMATICS IN OUR WORLD

“You do not study mathematics because it helps you build a bridge. You study mathematics
because it is the poetry of the universe. Its beauty transcends mere things.”
-Johnathan David Farley

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics is everywhere. We cannot ignore that math is an essential tool in understanding nature
and the world. It is vital in understanding natural phenomena and human activities as well. This
module will help you discover what mathematics is, where is mathematics, what is it for and who
uses mathematics? Similarly, discovering patterns in nature and the world will be investigated where
balance and harmony are always present in these wonderful creations. Many people consider
mathematics to be a boring and formal science. But any good work in mathematics always has:
Beauty, Simplicity, Structure, Imagination, and Crazy Ideas. This module is divided into three
lessons center to the idea of nature of mathematics.

CORE IDEA

Mathematics is a useful way to think about nature and our world.

(Course Syllabus - Mathematics in the Modern World by CHED, 2016)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

Knowledge
1. Argue about the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed represented and
used;
2. Explain how Fibonacci Sequence are formed and describe properties of the sequence by
using mathematical operations;
3. Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life;

Skills
4. Investigate patterns in nature and regularities of the world;
5. Use appropriate technology to research on the nature and application of mathematics;
6. Determine the 𝑛th term of Fibonacci sequence and verify measurements of successive
Fibonacci sequence related to the measure of Golden Ratio.

Values
7. Express appreciation of mathematics as a human endeavor through calculation, application
and inspiration; and
8. Engage oneself in the different activities through flexible learning of the subject.

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DISCUSSION

I. Understanding Mathematics

“The mathematical sciences particularly exhibit order, symmetry, and limitation;

and these are the greatest forms of the beautiful”
-Aristotle

Like almost every subject, mathematics is easy or as difficult as we choose to perceived it. The usual
pattern among students who got stuck in their journey to math success is that they looked into the
patterns of solutions made by their teacher not knowingly after making it on their own they will get
stuck with the problems they work on. In this module, you will not only do the math but you will also
experience what mathematics is. You will learn mathematical ideas through listening, reading, and
visualizing the concepts. You are here to experience suggested activities rather than just sit on the
sideline as onlooker. Remember that “Mathematics is NOT a Spectator Sport.

What is Mathematics?

Let us take a look on the diagram below.

Anybody would agree that math is the study of

tool on numbers and operations, a body of formulas and rules
an art problem
for solving equations, a set of tools to the questions of
solving
how many or how much. Others view math as an exact
science which uses logical reasoning to be able to
Math a draw sound conclusions. Mathematics has also been
is language defined as a language with structure, form, vocabulary
and grammar. It is also an art which studies patterns
a process
for aesthetic purposes or for predictive purposes. It
of
study of
patterns
plays a vital role in almost all fields: engineering,
thinking health sciences, education, economics and finance,
social and physical sciences, environmental sciences
and even in the field of music and arts.

One definition that we will use in this module is that:

Mathematics is a formal system of thought for recognizing, classifying, and

exploiting patterns. - Ian Stewart

This is explained in the book of Ian Stewart (1995) Nature’s Numbers, that mathematics is a
systematic way of digging out the rules and structures that lie behind some observed pattern or
regularity, and using this rules and structures to explain what is going on. He also described that
mathematics reveals the simplicities of nature, and permits us to generalize from simple examples to
the complexities of the real world.

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Most of the concepts that I will discuss in this module focuses on mathematics as an art and a study
of patterns. Why? The connections between art and mathematics go deep in the history of mankind.
It is evident in the different architectural designs, music, painting, and sculpture. Nature also plays a
part on recognizing beauty of nature’s mathematical patterns.

Where is Mathematics?

Observe the following illustrations.

A regular hexagon has 6 sides of equal length, and this shape is seen
again and again in the world around us. The most common example
of nature using hexagons is in a bee hive. This is done to maximize
the use of space for food storage. Honeycombs structure is also an
example of wallpaper symmetry. This is where a pattern is
repeated until it covers a plane. A beehive is also considered as one
model for packing efficiently. Why?
http://www.planetdolan.com/15-beautiful-examples-of-mathematics-in-nature/2/

Pinecones have seed pods that arrange in a spiral pattern. They

consist of a pair of spirals, each one twisting upwards in opposing
directions. Why?

Orbs spiders weave a near-perfect circular webs that have near-

equal-distanced radial supports coming out of the middle which
makes easy for them to catch its prey. Why?

We have seen that many of natural creations follow what others might think it is not math. But we
see that these are clues to ponder on. The great secret uncovered by mathematics as Stewart
explained, “Nature’s patterns are not just there to be admired, they are vital clues to the rules
that govern natural processes.”

Occurrences like the repeating interval of day and night, the cycle of the moon, the rising and falling
of tides or the changing of the seasons are clues where mathematics is useful. You might also wonder
how clouds are formed, the changing color of the sky from sunrise to sunset, formation of rainbows
in the horizon. We all think of how beautiful these creations that we fell in awe whenever we
observed them. Why? For those of us who finds numbers difficult to understand, it means that there
is relationship that can be proven not only with numbers but with series of shapes that appear

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throughout nature which can be translated into some observed rules of proportion. Our fascination
in observing nature give rise to remarkable properties of: harmony, regeneration and balance. We
would be happy if we could come upon a clue or a formula that will be useful in unlocking some
mysteries of these creations.

Mathematics finds many practical applications in in our daily life. Your interest in gadgets, games and
technologies have employed the use of mathematics. You unknowingly use your number sense in
your transactions that starts with your purchase of the gadgets, to the instructions on how it will be
operated, to your game plan till you discovered the many chances of winning or losing. It all matters
because there is math in all of these doings. In the communities where we work, events that we do,
in the different scientific innovations, mathematics is there.

Conceptual Understanding

1. Where do you apply the principles of mathematics?

2. Do you need mathematics every day? Why?

What is it for?

Mathematics is a useful way to think about the complexities of nature’s creations. It helps us unravel
the puzzles of nature. Appreciation of patterns brought variety of opportunities to better understand
and explore the world leading us to many significant theories in mathematics which in turn have
been utilized by other discipline. Inventions and discoveries are not possible without the use of
mathematics.

Let me give a few examples of practices where math is used for;

Math and the Human heart

Mathematical models of the heart help in the design and

implementation of artificial valves.

The mystery of how flocks of birds fly in the same direction

without collisions can be explained by mathematical equation.
This also explains how air traffic is handled by our experts.

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 Math can help solve crimes.

Probability, combinations, graph theory are used by the

investigators to solve crimes.
CC BY-SA-NC

Prime number and internet security.

The study of prime numbers is important for computer security

This Photo by Unknown

What do Mathematicians do?

Mathematics provides us the tools to make sense of the physical/ perceptual world. But also gives
us the facility (and the power) to understand the unseen, the abstract.
Two views
1. Platonism
Mathematical objects are real. Mathematicians discover mathematics.
Math is part of objective reality, it exists out there, independent of human experience.
2. Formalism
Mathematical objects are creations of the mind. Mathematicians create mathematics.

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II. Math, Nature, and Arts

“If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary

to understand the language that she speaks in.”
-Richard Feynman Nobel laureate, Physics

Many of us think of mathematics as numbers, operation, algebra, calculus and the like but we can also
view mathematics as study of patterns. Recognizing patterns feel just natural as learning 1, 2, 3… or
a, b, c …. Though mathematicians use number patterns and equations to express the ingenuity of their
explorations and discoveries, you only need to be imaginative of how mathematics is exhibited in
nature and arts through patterns of form, number, shape and movement in the world around us.

Mathematics and Nature

Mathematics is not all about numbers. If you want to understand the world, you need to find patterns,
then you need to represent these patterns in the form of symbols, notations or shapes or numbers,
and finally interpret these patterns. We know that patterns in nature are visible regularities of form,
shape, and movement found in the natural world. There is beauty in appreciating nature’s clues even
without mathematical training.

What do you observe? Patterns found in succulents, ferns, and cones are spiral-shaped depicting
maximum efficiency.

Euphorbia esculenta Spiral Aloe (Aloe polyphylla fern tree curl up into spiral shape Variation of Yellow Pine Cones ...
mercurynews.com pinterest.com stock.adobe.com tchester.org
Figure 2.1

Patterns such ocean waves, sand dunes, formation of typhoon and water drop with ripple serve as
clues in the rules that govern water flow.

Figure 2.2

Patterns of spots, stripes and blotches show mathematical regularities in biological growth and
form.

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Figure 2.3

Occurrences like changing of the seasons, phases of the moon, and the constellation are basis of
time and predictions.

Figure 2.4

Mathematics and Arts

We now turn our attention to connections between mathematics and arts. We will explore idea of
mathematics to perspective, symmetry and proportion. People of all ages and culture used
geometrical ideas and patterns in their artwork. Greece which is the center of arts and mathematics
during the ancient times developed strong inclination to these areas because these are central to
their view of the world.

Perspective – Imagine looking along a set of long parallel lines and stretches far into the distance such
as a set of train tracks or a set of telephone lines, or you may put yourself in the center of a hallway.
The lines will appear to your eyes to get closer to each other as you look into the distance. See the
figure below

All lines that are parallel in the real scene

and perpendicular to the canvas must
intersect at the principal vanishing point.

Vanishing Point - a point at which

receding parallel lines seem to meet
when represented in linear perspective

Figure 2.5

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) has great contributions to the science of perspective. Look at
Figure 2.6.

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 Figure 2.6 The Last Supper shown with several lines that are parallel in the real scene and converge at the
principal vanishing point behind Christ
According to Da Vinci, there are three aspects to perspectivity
1. How the size of the objects seems to diminish according to distance;
2. The manner in which the colors change the farther away they are from the eye;
3. How objects ought to be finished less carefully the farther away they are.

Rules for drawing open up to new possibilities of expression of the art and creativity, where balance
and harmony is used.
Symmetry

Symmetry is a property of an object that remains unchanged under certain operations such as
translation, reflection, and rotation. It is a sense of harmony and balance. The human body is
symmetrical because a vertical line drawn through the head and navel divides the body into two
identical parts. The painting of Last Supper by Da Vinci shows symmetry because the disciples are
grouped in four groups of three, with two groups on either side of Christ which is the central figure.

Symmetries are integral part of nature and the arts of culture worldwide.

Bilateral symmetry on butterfly

A symmetry in which the left and right sides ( reflection ) of the

organism can be divided into two identical or mirror image of each
Figure 2.7 other.

Rotational symmetry on Starfish

A symmetry around a fixed point and can be classified as either

cyclic or dihedral

Figure 2.8

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 A B C D
Figure 2.9 Symmetries on Shapes

Figure 2.9c is a five-pointed star with five lines about which it can be flipped ( reflected ) without
changing its appearance and because it has five vertices that all look the same, it can also be rotated
by one-fifth of a full circle and it still look the same ( 3600 / 5 = 720 ) the star has rotation and
reflection symmetries.

Symmetries Found in Philippine Designs

Figure 2.10 Intrinsic designs and weaving designs

Artistry and abstraction are found in textile products of Filipinos. These are evidences of the rich
cultural heritage of the Philippines.

Figure 2.11 Sample of tattoos in Kalinga one of the many rich cultural practices of how symmetries are
shown.

The above design are concrete evidences not only for the rich cultural heritage but also the
mathematical ingenuity of our ancestors which give rise to the study of ethnomathematics. It is
believed that it can only be configured with strong mathematical proficiency. Surprisingly, these
concepts of designs transcend mathematical concepts of abstract algebra like groups, rings, and
fields.

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