Module 1

MATHEMATICS IN
OUR WORLD Mr. Ricardo F. Chinilla
Instructor

Email Address:
ricardochinilla@gmail.com

Contact Number:
09198474017
 Module Duration:
August 31 – Sept. 7

[Course Code]
GE 003: Mathematics in the Modern World

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

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

1. argue about the nature of mathematics, what is it, how it is expressed, represented and used;
2. articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life;
3. identify patterns and regularities in the world;
4. establish the relationship between Fibonacci sequence and Golden ratio; and
5. express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

INPUT INFORMATION

WHAT IS MATHEMATICS? WHAT ROLE DOES IT PLAYS IN OUR WORLD?

 Mathematics is the study of patterns and structure. A pattern is a repeated or regular way in ways something
happens or is done. Many patterns exist in nature, in our world, in our life.
Examples: a dress pattern, a paper section a seamstress used to make a dress, polka dots , traffic pattern
A structure is an arrangement of and relations between the parts and elements of something complex .Examples:
newly built home, building, DNA elements
 Mathematics is fundamental to the physical and biological sciences, engineering and information technology, to
economics and increasingly to the social sciences.
 Mathematics is a useful way to think about nature and our world.
 Mathematics is a tool to quantify, organize and control our world, predict phenomena and make life easier for us.

PATTERNS AND REGULARITIES IN THE WORLD

Have you ever thought about how nature likes to arrange itself in patterns in order to act efficiently? Nothing in
nature happens without a reason, all of these patterns have an important reason to exist and they also happen to be
beautiful to watch.
 Mathematics is all around us. As we discover more about our environment, we can mathematically describe nature
such as the beauty of a flower, the majestic tree, the rock formation which all exhibit nature’s sense of symmetry.
 Types of Patterns
1. Symmetry , a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion of balance or an object is in variant to any various
transformation – reflection, rotation or scaling . There are two ways of symmetry namely :
a. Bilateral (vertical) symmetry, a symmetry in which the left side and the right side of the organism can be
divided into approximately mirror image of each other along the midline.
b. Radial ( rotational) symmetry, a symmetry around a fixed point ( center) and can be classified as either
cyclic or dihedral.
2. Fractals , a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the whole. This is
a never ending pattern found in nature. The exact same shape is replicated in a process called “ self similarity”.
3. Spirals , a curve pattern that focuses on a center point and s series of circular shapes that revolve around it. The
reason for why plants ,say pineapples use a spiral form is because they are constantly trying to grow but stay
,secure.
  Patterns can be observed even in stars which move in circles across the sky each day.
 Patterns can be seen in animal patterns such as spots, and stripes.
 Natural patterns like intricate waves across the oceans, sand dunes on desserts, formation of typhoon, water drop
with ripple, v-formation of geese in the sky and others.
 Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in the natural world. These patterns recur in different
contexts and can be modelled mathematically. By studying pattern in nature , we gain an appreciation and
understanding of the world in which we live and how everything is connected .
FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
 The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where a number is found by adding up the two numbers before it.
Starting with 0 and 1, the sequence goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, … ( the 3 dots means and so forth). Written as
a rule or formula
Xn = X n – 1 + X n- 2
Where, Xn means the next term ( number)
Xn-1 and X n-2 , the two consecutive terms or numbers
Examples: 1. Find the 6th term of the Fibonacci sequence 0, 1, 1, …
The 6th Fibonacci number is the sum of the 4th number and the 5th number of the sequence.
From the Fibonacci sequence 0, 1, 1, …
where 0 as the 1st number
 1 the 2nd number and
1 the 3rd number
By definition , X6 = X5 + X4
=3+2
=5
Therefore, the 6 terms of the Fibonacci sequence are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, and 5.

2. Write the 10 terms of the Fibonacci sequence 1, 1, 2, …

Solution. By definition
X4= 2+1 =3 X5 = 3+2 = 5 X6= 5+ 3=8
X7= 8+ 5 = 13 X8= 13+8=21 X9= 21 + 13= 34
X10=34+21=55
Fibonacci sequence : 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55
 Named as Fibonacci, also known LEONARDO BONACCI or LEONARDO PISANO was an Italian mathematician,
considered to be the most talented mathematician of the middle ages. Fibonacci numbers were first introduced in
his book, the LIBER ABBCI (book of Calculation) in 1202.

Fibonacci Numbers In Nature.

1. Flower petals exhibit the Fibonacci numbers, white calla lily contains 1 petal, euphoria has 2 petals, trillium 3
petals, columbine 5 petals, bloodroot 8, black eyed susan 13, shasta daisies 21, field daisies 34 and other types
of daisies has 55 and 89 petals.
2. The sunflower seed conveys the Fibonacci sequence. The pattern of two spirals goes in opposite
direction(clockwise and counter clockwise).The number of clockwise and conter clockwise spirals are
consecutive Fibonacci numbers and contains 34 and 55 seeds.
GOLDEN RATIO
 The ratio of the line segment cut into two pieces of different lengths such that the ratio of the whole to the longer
segment is equal to the ratio of the longer segment to the shorter segment.
___________a___________I____b__________
a>b

a+b a
Golden ratio (ϕ – phi) = = = 1.618033987…
a b
 The Golden ratio was first called as the Divine Proportion in the early 1500s in Leonardo da Vinci’s work.
 It is often said that mathematics contains the answer to most of universe’s question. Math manifest itself
everywhere. The golden ratio manifest itself in many places across the universe, right here on earth,it is part of
earth’s nature and it is part of us. Examples:
1. Flower petals , the number of petals in a flower is often one of the following numbers: 3,5,8,13,21,34, or 55.
2. Faces , the mouth and nose are each positioned at golden section of the distance between the eyes and the
bottom of the chin. Similar proportion can be seen from the side and even the eye and ear itself.
3. Body parts, the human body is based on Phi and the number 5.The number 5 appendages to the torso, in
the arms ,legs and head.
4. Seed heads
5. Fruits, Vegetables and Trees
6. Shells
7. Spiral galaxies
8. Hurricanes
 The Fibonacci sequence is significant because of the so called Golden ratio of 1.618… .

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
DIRECTIONS : Using a soft copy, correctly perform task 1 and task 2. Refer to the input information to complete the task.
Make your own presentation form neatly and presentable.
For the students in the modular scheme, a soft copy is also a requirement in the form of a picture taken
from the bond paper or yellow paper used.
TASK 1. THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
Given the first Fibonacci numbers:
1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610
1. What is a Fibonacci sequence and how it works?

2. If we do one number from the sequence divided by the number before it, what answer do we get closer and
closer to? Examples 2/1 = 2 ; 8/5 = 1.6

3. What sort of number is every third term?

 4. Choose any three consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Multiply the first by the third. Square the second. Repeat
this for other groups of three. Write what you notice.

TASK 2. ARE YOU REALLY THAT PERFECT?

Using the diagram of your face and the face of anyone in your house, say your brother or sister, measure the
distances. Draw your face and the face of your sister or brother.
1. Measure the width of one eye in each diagram/picture ( drawing of the eye in the face)
EYE WIDTH = _________________ mm
2. Measure the bridge of the nose.
BRIDGE WIDTH = ______________ mm
3. Measure the width of the mouth when smiling.
MOUTH WIDTH = _______________mm
4. Measure the width of the teeth when smiling.
TEETH WIDTH = ________________mm

Calculate: 1. Bridge width divided Eye width = ____________________

2.Mouth width divided Teeth width =___________________

* ARE THE TWO RATIOS THE SAME AS EACH OTHER?

* ARE THEY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER?

ASSESSMENT / EVALUATION
Using the Google form, a 10 – item test will be administered.
Time allotment is 10 minutes.
ASSIGNMENT
Refer to the next module, answer the questions correctly.
1. What are the language , symbols and conventions of mathematics?
2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language?
3. What is the language of sets?
4. What is the language of binary operations?
NOTE: PRESENTATION IS IN THE SOFT COPY SIMILAR TO THE LEARNING ACTIVITIES.
LEARNING RESOURCES
1. Textbook: Mathematics in the Modern World
2. Google