Unit 1: Mathematics in Our World (5 hours)

Introduction

Did you ever wonder what the pictures above tell you about?

Quite often, people consider mathematics only as numbers and arithmetic. Most of the
time, giving more emphasis on numerical ability has brought about a person unfavorable
attitude about mathematics, and probably, you too experience the same.

One thing must be clear at this point, though, that Mathematics is not all about numbers.
Mathematics goes beyond arithmetic. It is an art by which the universe is designed
creatively.

Patterns are core topics in Mathematics. In fact, it is also known as the science of
patterns- the numeric patterns and geometric patterns.
In this unit, you will appreciate that Mathematics is not only confined to numbers but
also exists in nature, on the things that we see around us. You will learn how nature
connects with numerical patterns and sequences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this unit, you are expected to:

a. identify patterns in nature and how they are related to mathematics;
b. argue about the nature of mathematics;
c. solve problems involving patterns and numbers;
d. articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life; and
e. express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.
Topic 1: Patterns and Numbers in Nature

Presentation of Content

Study each picture given below.

What does each picture above tell you about?

These are all patterns in nature. Like numbers, natural objects have also their patterns. In
some plants, spiral patterns may be found in their leaves and flowers. The skin of some
animals also exhibit fascinating designs that have patterns.

The sunflower’s petals are carefully arranged alternately from the innermost to the
outermost petal to give a spiral pattern. The sea urchin has a pattern where the spines
are arranged in an array, where one big spine is followed by smaller spines. The sea
shell is carefully designed such that from the center, it is exactly a reflection of the other
half of the shell. This is also true to the butterfly where one side of the wings is exactly
the same with the other side. We call these as symmetrical pattern. The shape and
pattern of the left side is the same as a mirror image of its right side.

Other Patterns
There are a lot more patterns that we can see on the things around us such as the
following:

1. Fractal Pattern
A fractal is a never-ending pattern. It is a repeated pattern that is self-similar across
different scales. Fractal is created by repeating a process of similar pattern. The leaf of
a fern resembles a fractal pattern.

Fig. 1 is a geometric fractal

Photo credit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com
Figure 1. Geometric Fractal
pattern where the triangles are
repeated of different scales and
they are self-similar.
Fig. 2. The fern exhibits a fractal
pattern. The leaves repeat at
different scales, and they are
self-similar, being made of little
copies of the same overall
shape.
Figure 2. Fractal pattern in nature

2. Fibonacci Pattern
In arithmetic, Fibonacci pattern appears in numerical sequences such that the sequence,
is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1.
For example, the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, … is a Fibonacci sequence obtained by
adding the two consecutive numbers starting from zero (0+1=1), (1+1=2), (2+1=3), and
so on.
The sequence starts from adding the least number to the succeeding number, and on,
giving progressing sums forming a sequence.

Fig. 3 is a Fibonacci sequence,

starting from adding 1+1 to give 2,
2+1 to give 3, 3+2 to give 5 and so
on.

Fig. 3. Fibonacci sequence

Fibonacci pattern is also exhibited amazingly in nature, such that the pattern starts from
a small loop, and becomes bigger as the spiral pattern tends to go farther from the center
of the loop.

The formation of stars in

the galaxies and the spiral
pattern of an Aloe Vera
plant all form Fibonacci
patterns in nature.

Credit: www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners and www.reddit.com

Fig. 4. Fibonacci patterns in nature

Natural patterns also include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders, waves, foams,
tessellations, cracks and stripes. Early Greek philosophers studied pattern, with Plato,
Pythagoras and Empedocles attempting to explain order in nature. ... Mathematics,
physics and chemistry can explain patterns in nature at different perspectives.

Relating Mathematics to Natural Patterns

Even clouds exhibit pattern. Clouds and cloud formations are practically used to assess
the possible occurrence of rains or storm.
Some animals and insects have also amazing patterns such as the different patterns in the
skin of a snake, feathers of a peacock, spots of a leopard, the stripes of a tiger, the wings
of a beetle, the wings of a butterfly, and many more. How do these natural patterns then
relate to mathematics?

In the book Nature’s Numbers by Ian Stewart, it was mentioned that by using
mathematics to organize and systematize our ideas out of patterns, we have discovered
a great secret: nature’s patterns are not just there to be admired, they are vital clues to
the rules that govern natural processes. The spiral leaves of a plant for example, have
drawn mathematicians to discover what is known as the Golden Angle which measures
137.5 degrees. As they continue to discover about the Golden Angle, they also
discovered the Golden Ratio, which later became closely attached to another numerical
pattern: the Fibonacci numbers which you will learn in the succeeding topics.

So, the original patterns in plants have been translated into numeric patterns in
mathematics through the golden angle, golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers.
Similarly, scientists have also tried to explain the connection between the patterns in
animal skin with that of mathematics. They have found out that these designs could
arrive to the formulation of equations in higher mathematics, particularly the
Differential Equation, which captures the interaction between two chemical products
that produced these designs.

What about the volcano, do you think it has also mathematical connection?

The volcano also relates to geometric figure (symmetrical) and probability. Based from
the number of eruptions it has made in the past 100 years, it gave the probability model
predicting when and how it will erupt.

For more examples of patterns in nature that relates to mathematics, watch the following
videos:
1. God is a Mathematician
2. Mathematics in Nature

The CD for above videos will be provided to you by your teacher.

You have just learned how nature relates to mathematics. Congratulations!

Summary

You have just learned that mathematics is not only numerical/arithmetic in nature.
Mathematics is found in all the things that we see around us… in plants, animals,
trees and many other objects that we see in nature Geometric designs and sequences
are also found in plants. The sunflower for example exhibit the design of spiral.
The branches of some trees exhibit a fractal pattern, and many others. Mathematics
also relates to nature. It is from nature where some scientific phenomenon came
from, that brought about new discoveries in the field of higher Mathematics.

Reflection

A. How do you articulate the importance of mathematics in your life?

 B. What new ideas about Mathematics did you learn that have changed your
thoughts about it?

References

Akash Peshin: www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners

Baltazar, E.C., Ragasa, C., and Evangelista, J., (2018) Mathematics in the Modern
World. C&N Publishing, Inc.

Earnhart, R. and Adina, E. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World

(Outcome-Based Module). C&N Publishing, Inc. pp 1-11

New England Public Radio. Retrieved from

http://www.nepr.net/post/it-takes-500000-pounds-sand-throw-beach-party-north-adam
s#stream/0

The Science Explorer: Sunflower Spirals: Complexity Beyond the Fibonacci

Sequence. Retrieved from
http://thescienceexplorer.com/nature/sunflower-spirals-complexity-beyond-fibonacci-
sequence

https://www.ebay.com/p/5pcs-Spiral-Aloe-Seeds-Polyphylla-Cactus-Plant-Succulents
-Garden-Park-Decor-Hot/1055124369

Philstar Global. https://www.philstar.com

Images:
www.123rf.com/photo_20751296_scallop-seashell.html,ww.dolphinresearch.org.au/l
eadership/victorias-marine-environment-matters/sea urchin
https://www.harrisseeds.com)
http://www.fractal.org
https://www.sciencefriday.com
www.nexusinvestments.com
https://www.smithsonianmag.com
https://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/seashell.html
https://animals.howstuffworks.com
http://phppf.blogspot.com/gallery-spiral-ginger.html
https://www.google.com/https://cdn.britannica.com/s:7