Module 1: The Mathematics of Nature

What this module is about

This module introduces mathematics and its presence in the natural world. As
rational creatures, we tend to identify and follow patterns consciously or subconsciously.
Recognizing patterns is a natural feeling, like we are meant to see it. Early humans were
able to recognize the intervals of night and day, the cycles of the moon, and the changing
seasons. Awareness of these patterns allowed them to survive. Similarly, patterns can be
seen in both plants and animals, such as the petals of flowers, or the stripes of a tiger. In
this module, we will observe the different patterns in the world, as well as its uses in both
nature and in human society

Objectives:
After reading the module, you are expected to:
1. Appreciate and recognize the existence of mathematics in the natural world
2. Recognize different patterns and improve critical thinking.
3. Try different viewpoints in tackling a problem in order to solve it
4. Appreciate and understand the different uses of mathematics in human society.

1.1 Patterns and Numbers in Nature

Patterns are regular, repeated or recurring forms of design. We see patterns every day,
on floor tiles, on woven baskets, or even the way we tie our shoelaces. Studying patterns are
helpful to students, especially in identifying relationships and finding logical connections to form
generalizations and make predictions.

Examples:
1. What comes next?

?
Solution
Looking at the figures, we can see two simultaneous patterns. The first one is the
alternating black/ white color of the shapes. The second one is the increasing number of edges
each shape has. With the first pattern, we can see that the next one will be black. As for the
second pattern, the number of edges is increasing by one, making the succeeding shape have
six edges. In conclusion, the next figure is a black hexagon.

2. What comes next? 5, 9, 13, __

Solution
Looking at the given numbers, the sequence is increasing, with each term being four more than
the previous term. 9 = 5+4; 13 = 9+4. Therefore, the next term is 17 = 13+4.
Exercise:
a. What comes next?

b. What comes next? 2, 3, 5, 7, __

Patterns show a sense of structure and organization that makes it seem like humans are
the only ones capable of producing these creative formations. However, nature proves this
otherwise.
Symmetry indicates that you can draw an imaginary line across an object and the
resulting parts are mirror images of each other.

Try drawing the line of symmetry on the following figures.

Notice that if you rotate the cross and the star by several degrees, you can still achieve
the same appearance as the original position. This is known as rotational symmetry.
Order of Rotation
A figure has a rotational symmetry of order n (n-fold rotational symmetry) if 1/n of a
complete turn leaves the figure unchanged. For example, a regular triangle has a three-fold
rotational symmetry, while a star has five-fold rotational symmetry. The smallest angle by which
a figure can be rotated and still preserve its original formation is called the angle of rotation. To
compute it, we use the formula:
360o
Angle of rotation =
𝑛
Using the formula, we can compute for the angle of rotation of a star, thus n = 5. 360o
divided by 5 is 72o so the angle of rotation is 72o.
Exercise: Find the order of rotation and angle of rotation of the following:
a. Triangle c. Heart
b. Square d. Rectangle
Snowflakes
Consider the snowflake.
 A snowflake has a pattern that is repeating six times, signifying that it has a six-fold
symmetry. To determine the angle of rotation, we divide 360o by 6, giving 60o. It is said that “no
two snowflakes are exactly alike”, this is due to the effects of humidity and temperature, which
also causes many snowflakes to be asymmetrical or not having symmetry.
Honeycomb
Winnie the Pooh’s favorite snack is honey, and it comes from the storage made by
hardworking bees. This “storage” is called a honeycomb, and it is another one of nature’s
“intelligent design”.

The honeycomb is shaped neatly and uniformly by the bees, without need of rulers or
other tools. The bees somehow were able to shape the honeycomb this way, which maximizes
the spaces, and uses the least wax. The hexagonal packing used by the bees come from
minimizing the spaces in between circles if stacked to have the least spaces possible.

Square Packing Hexagonal Packing

To further maximize the size and minimize the spaces, what better shape to use for hexagonal
packing than a hexagon itself, which also has a more ‘circular’ shape compared to a square or
triangle.
Another set of distinctive patterns in nature are the following:

Fun Trivia:
• Tigers have striped SKIN too.
• Zebras are BLACK with
WHITE stripes
• Dalmatians are made
mascots of fire departments because
back in the day, they run with the
firefighter carriages and calm the
horses down

The stripes of tigers and zebras, as well as the spots of Dalmatians, are great examples of
patterns in nature.
Flowers

Trillium
Euphorbia
3 petals
2 petals

Sampaguita
8 petals

The flowers above have different numbers of petals, and unless familiar with it, the
Fibonacci sequence might have been missed. A sequence is an ordered list of numbers, called
terms, which may have repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is set by a definite rule.
Example:
1. 1, 10, 100, 1 000, ___
2. 14, 24, 13, 25, ___
3. 0.5, 0.33, 0.25, ___
Solution:
1. In this sequence the rule is to multiply the term by ten to get the next term. Thus, the
answer is 1000x10 = 10 000.
2. This one is a bit tricky as there can be two possible explanations with the same answer.
The first one is that you add ten, then subtract eleven, then add twelve, and so on. So next
is subtract thirteen, so the answer is 25 – 13 = 12. The other explanation is to simply
consider that the sequence has an alternating pattern. Every odd numbered term is
decreasing while the even numbered terms are increasing. So, 14 – 1 =13 and 13 – 1 =12.
3. To solve this, one must think beyond what can be seen. The numbers 0.5, 0.33, and 0.25
1 1 1
does not seem to be related, but when written as fractions, , , and respectively. We
2 3 4
1
can see that the denominator is increasing by 1, thus the succeeding term should be or
5
0.2.

Exercise:
a. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ___ c. 7, 49, 8, 64, 9, ___
b. 5, 8, 14, 26, ___
1.2 Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, …) is a special number sequence named
after its discoverer, Leonardo de Pisa, better known as Fibonacci. He is an Italian mathematician
who wrote the book Liber Abaci.
 Fun Trivia:
• Leonardo de Pisa or Leonardo Pisano
is called Fibonacci as a nickname from fillius
Bonacci which means “son of Bonacci”.

The Fibonacci sequence starts with 0 and 1, then the succeeding terms are solved by
simply adding the previous two terms.
0 3=1+2
1 5=2+3
1=0+1 8=3+5
2=1+1 13 = 5 + 8
The Fibonacci sequence has very interesting features, including it being one of the most
visible patterns in nature. It can be seen in the number of petals of flowers, in the seeds of a
sunflower, as well as in the shape of a snail’s shell. Another interesting feature of the Fibonacci
numbers is that the ratios of succeeding terms approach the number φ (phi), also known as the
Golden Ratio. The value of the golden ratio is approximately 1.61803.

As seen in the table above, the farther we go in the sequence the value of the ratios approach
1.61803. The ratios can be visualized as a rectangle formed by a square and another rectangle
which can be infinitely expanded.

The Golden Spiral Snail’s Shell

The Golden Spiral is the shape tracing the squares in the geometric visualization of the Fibonacci
sequence. The spiral can be seen usually as the curve of a snail’s shell, or the way the seeds on
a sunflower is scattered, or even the shape of the Milky Way galaxy.
Shapes and figures that bear the proportions of the golden ration are generally considered
aesthetically pleasing. In fact, even the human DNA molecules contain Fibonacci numbers. Being
34 ångströms long by 21 ångströms wide for each full cycle of the double helix spiral. As shown
earlier, this approximates the golden ratio. (1 ångström = 0.1 nanometer)

1.3 Mathematics for Our World

The previous topics discussed how we can see and appreciate mathematics in the natural
world. Now we will be discussing how it can be seen and used in society.
Mathematics for Organization
Mathematics is used in organization through data collection and analysis. This is done to
help take in various information. Data tables and graphs are great sources of information to help
businesses follow market trends. Social media uses mathematics in algorithms to provide content
that people are more likely to enjoy and reduce those that they dislike.
Mathematics for Prediction
Sometimes history repeats itself and patterns occur naturally. Existing data of events can
help to make predictions. With the concept of probability, weather forecasts are made by
meteorologists in order to aid with planning schedules every day. Eclipses are also predicted
ahead of time and announced for people to watch with the help of mathematical concepts.
Mathematics for Control
After seeing, and knowing the mathematics in our surroundings and ourselves, we also
have the power to control with the aid of mathematics. Musicians and poets control tempos and
rhythm, visual artists manipulate through shape, and athletes aim to break the limits of speed,
endurance and abilities. We control the economy with our finances and our weight with dieting.
The current global warming by limiting our use of disposable products. For students, the most
common things they have control are their grades and their allowance budget.
Mathematics is INDESPENSABLE
Before, during, and long after our life time has been used, mathematics will continue to
exist. Our parents counted months before we were born, and legality of ages are given value to
know whether a person can be arrested. You work throughout your life to buy needs and wants,
and after death, there is the inheritance or even the coffin’s size. Mathematics is truly
indispensable because it will continue to exist in nature, in society and in the mind.
Worksheet

This is a Pascal’s Triangle. It is a simple-looking figure, but it holds a lot of patterns waiting to be
discovered.
a. Name/ describe at least 5 patterns that can be seen in the Pascal’s Triangle.
b. Find a way to show the Fibonacci sequence with the Pascal’s Triangle
Module Test:
I. Read the questions carefully and choose the best answer. Write your answers in
CAPITAL LETTERS.

1. Fill in the blank. , , ______,

a. c.

b. d.

2. Fill in the blank. , , , ___

a. c.

b. d.
3. Fill in the blank. 1, 4, 9, ______
a. 10 c. 16
b. 15 d. 25
4. Fill in the blank. ____, 8, 27, 64
a. 1 c. 0
b. 2 d. 125
5. Fill in the blank. ___, 3, 5, 7, 11
a. -1 c. 1
b. 0 d. 2
6. Fill in the blank. 12, 15, 21, 33, ___
a. 45 c. 54
b. 57 d. 75
7. Fill in the blank. 5, 25, ____, 625
a. 75 c. 275
b. 105 d. 125
8. What is the 13th term of the Fibonacci sequence?
a. 55 c. 144
b. 89 d. 233
9. A figure with 8-fold rotational symmetry has an angle of rotation of ____.
a. 72o c. 60o
b. 45o d. 35o
10. Mathematics can be used for the following EXCEPT:
a. Control c. Organization
b. Prediction d. Cultivation
II. Modified True or False. Write T if the statement is true, if false change the UNDERLINED
word to make the statement true.
1. The symbol used for the golden ratio is φ.
2. φ = 3.1416
3. The Fibonacci sequence was discovered by Leonardo de Piza.
4. If a figure does not have symmetry, it is called unsymmetrical.
5. A pattern is an ordered list of numbers called terms.