Patterns and Numbers in

Nature and the World

Objectives:
After studying this lesson, you should be able to
 Appreciate the different aspects of mathematics
 Understand how simple mathematics models are
constructed to solve problems.
“Math is about patterns …
and patterns are what life is
about.”
- K. Devlin
Mathematics on Our World

Mathematical patterns and forms

exist everywhere in nature.

Let’s explore our nature and things

that convey various mathematical
concepts.
Mathematics on Our World
These mathematical concepts
include:
 Patterning
 Shapes and Geometry
 and other mathematical
principles.
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 SEASHELLS/ or simply SHELLS
Some shells have natural patterns.
Chambered Nautilus Shell

The shape process is called “LOGARITHMIC SPIRAL”

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsomanautiko.com%2Fembracing-the-sacred-symbol-of-the-chambered-nautilus%2F&psig=AOvVaw3Np85k49L_RIU2Ax-
CloBT&ust=1594960468572000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLiCsJHW0eoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 Geometric Patterns
Spider Web

It illustrates wonderful geometric pattern

 Spider creates this structure by performing simple,
distinctive steps.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amnh.org%2Fexplore%2Fology%2Fbiodiversity%2Fwhat-is-biodiversity&psig=AOvVaw31RuodV4kVys-
TzdWRFL8X&ust=1594966241132000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOCYo_rS0eoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 Geometric Patterns
Snowflakes

Frozen rain

A crystal of snow, having approximate hexagonal symmetry.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vectorstock.com%2Froyalty-free-vector%2F3d-snowflakes-vector-
698527&psig=AOvVaw0Pt5QemMZSuEsVh0EHgbsH&ust=1594966894846000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIj47NHS0eoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
 Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 Zebras

Several theories have been proposed for the function of these distinctive black-and-white
striped coats of zebra, with most evidence supporting them as a form of protection from biting
flies.
The general pattern is a dorsal line that extends from the forehead to the tail.
Stripes may provide particularly good camouflage at nighttime.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FTechnology%2Fzebras-stripes-staying-
cool%2Fstory%3Fid%3D63685771&psig=AOvVaw0byDeNySwZbXuBEwxgEXZy&ust=1594985621928000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOjZp87W0eoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Grevy’s zebra Plains zebra

Mountain zebra
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 Honeycomb
is a mass of regular hexagonal wax cells built by honey bees in their nests to contain
their larvae and stores honey and pollen.

 Why might a hexagon be a suitable shape for storing honey? Could other shapes, such as
circles, triangles, or squares, work just as well?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fkrulwich%2F2013%2F05%2F13%2F183704091%2Fwhat-is-it-about-bees-and-
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
 Dendrochronology
is the scientific method of dating tree rings (also called growth rings) to
the exact year they were formed.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Ftime-team%2Fexperience-archaeology%2Fdendrochronology%2F&psig=AOvVaw39EDJq4XK4Aeu8OQ4Z-
YbV&ust=1594981042461000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOCwuMTF0eoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAZ
 Other Examples:
Tiger’s stripe

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Finspirechange27.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F11%2F18%2Fthe-tiger-as-the-national-
animal%2F&psig=AOvVaw24hwmRr19t16lLFbOlVUlI&ust=1595049227191000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJizj8jD0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAV
Other Examples:
Hyena’s spots

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fideas.ted.com%2Feverything-you-know-about-hyenas-is-wrong-these-animals-are-fierce-social-and-incredibly-
smart%2F&psig=AOvVaw1OJ24GVvdcxPF-6ZN2c8nv&ust=1595048917615000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMDdh7XC0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAO
Other Examples:
Sunflowers’ petals and seeds

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgilmour.com%2Fgrowing-sunflowers&psig=AOvVaw1hTbLocDMoaQTsINEAxln-
&ust=1595048747107000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNjIq-XB0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Other Examples:
World’s Population

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnationbuilder.com%2Fpeoples_vote&psig=AOvVaw260Gfp7RFC7x-
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fphoto%2F2019%2F02%2Fmasks-we-wear%2F583837%2F&psig=AOvVaw34nTYFA03T7nxhFnU-
mPbIsO26H&ust=1595049412947000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIiZwKHE0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAd
17Tt&ust=1595050516534000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNiqm6_I0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAk
Other Examples:
Weather
Other Examples:
Tidal waves

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.b2bmarketing.net%2Fen-gb%2Fresources%2Fblog%2Fwhy-b2b-marketers-must-ride-tidal-wave-
change&psig=AOvVaw1b04NPdHwtMB7N4MoIO5DP&ust=1595047925560000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLjaleK-0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Other Examples:
Hurricane

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.miami.edu%2Fstories%2F2020%2F06%2Fscientists-examine-why-hurricane-wind-speeds-vary-within-urban-
settings.html&psig=AOvVaw3BNEWb6Ph-mr5Qe7rF9AC_&ust=1595048332178000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLDdo6nA0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAV
Other Examples:
https://vimeo.com/9953368
Core idea of the lesson:
Mathematics is a useful way to
think about nature and our
world.
Activity for the day

What is your disposition towards

Math? Do you like it or not? Why?