MATHEMATICS IN OUR WORLD

LESSON 1.1

What is Mathematics?

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

patterns” (Stewart, 1995).
 It is “described as the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and
arrangement “(Hom, 2013). It is also considered an art having an aesthetic and
creative side.
 The science of numbers and their operations interrelations, combinations,
generalizations, abstractions, and space configurations and their structure,
measurement, transformations, and
generalizations (Merriam-Webster).

Mathematics in the Modern World is a huge body of knowledge and a very diverse
area of study.

 Mathematics in Counting
What makes counting possible? This primitive activity leads to the concepts of
numbers, numerals, and the four fundamental operations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, on, and division) and their properties.

 Mathematics as a Study of Patterns

What is the pattern? Pattern connotes order, regularity, and lawfulness. Studying
patterns is an opportunity to observe, hypothesize, experiment, discover, and create.
The study of patterns allows us to bring together mathematics with music, visual art
and craft, vocabulary building, creative writing, and verbal communication.

The following are examples of different patterns:

1. Logical Patterns
As the term “logic” implies, we use these patterns to think. (e.g., classification, partition,
chronology, cause/ effect, problem/ solution, if/ then, and evaluation.)
2. Geometric Patterns
A geometric pattern is a motif or design depicting abstract, nonrepresentational shapes
such as lines, circles, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, and polygons. Geometric patterns
consist of a series of shapes.

3. Number Patterns
Is an arrangement of numbers in such a way that it follows a particular property or
pattern?

4. Word Patterns
- metrical patterns of poems
- syntactic patterns of how we make nouns plural of verbs past tense (e.g. fast- faster,
fastest; plant- plants)
Write the word which will continue the series:
1. sore, swore; seat, sweat; serve, _________.
2. low, blow; order, border; ring, _________.
3. air, oar; main, moan; braid, _________.
4. Thong, thing; clock, click; shore, ________.
5. beer, bee; pear, pea; pier, ________.
Mathematics in Nature
From rainbows, the river meanders, and shadows to spider webs, honeycombs, and the
markings on animal coats, the visible world is full of patterns that can be described
mathematically.

Mathematics in Nature
• Geometrical Shapes
• Symmetry
• Fibonacci Spiral
• The Golden Ratio
• Fractals

Geometrical Shapes
Hexagons in Nature:

Another of nature’s geometric wonders is

the hexagon. A regular hexagon has 6 sides of equal length, and
this shape is seen again and again in the world around us. The
The most common example of nature using hexagons is in a bee hive.

Concentric Circles in Nature:

Another common shape in nature is a set of concentric circles. Concentric means the
circles all share the same center, but have different radii. This means the circles are all
different sizes, one
inside the other.

Symmetry
• A shape has bilateral symmetry when it is the same on both sides of a line drawn down
the middle.
• Radial symmetry describes living and non-living forms; these forms can be equally
divided into three or more sections that, when rotated through a center of rotation by
more than 0° and less
than 360°, exactly matching each other in orientation and shape.
Fibonacci Sequence

The Fibonacci Sequence was introduced by Fibonacci and is generally derived from the
problem known as “The Rabbit Problem”.

The Rabbit Problem

This problem talks about the breeding process of rabbits, wherein the total number of
rabbits in a month is equal to the total pairs of rabbits in the previous month.
This breeding process can be represented by a mathematical sequence that can be
extended indefinitely. The sequence is 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55, and so on. This
sequence is popular even today and is known as the Fibonacci sequence.

The Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio (represented by the symbol Phi- φ) is a ratio derived from the
Fibonacci numbers. This mathematical ratio symbolizes beauty, congruence, and
balance in Physical form. Its value is expressed as 1.6180339887… and extends
infinitely.

The Golden Ratio is a design concept based on using the Fibonacci sequence to create
visually appealing proportions in art, architecture, and graphic design.
The proportion, size, and placement of one element compared to another create a sense
of harmony that our subconscious mind is attracted to.

Fractals
•A fractal is a never-ending pattern. Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are self-
similar across different scales. They are created by repeating a simple process over and
over in an ongoing feedback loop.

“The beauty of nature is revealed by mathematics and the beauty of mathematics is

revealed in
nature” (Adam, 2011).
Mathematics in Real Application
Mathematics is used as an essential tool in many fields including the natural sciences,
engineering, medicine finance, and the social sciences. It is the building block for
everything in our daily life including mobile devices, architecture, art, money,
infrastructures, and even sports.

MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

LESSON 1.2

What is Language?
According to Crystal, language is a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or
written symbols using which human beings, as members of a social group and
participants in its culture, express themselves.
• A formal system of signs and symbols including rules for the formation and
transformation of admissible expressions (Merriam-Webster)

What is Mathematical Language?

Mathematical language is characterized by: abstraction, symbols, and rules, non-linearity
and complexity of language, arrangement, coding, and decoding information (Felda,
2019).
• System used to express, communicate and share mathematical information (Brandao,
2017).

According to Adler, Mathematics is a pure language-the language of science. It is one of

the few languages that can express every thought or concept that can be expressed in
its terms with
precision.

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express, share or communicate

because it is:
• Precise
• Concise
• Powerful
 According to Riccomini, teaching, and learning a mathematical language is important
because:
1. It has a significant role in overall comprehension.
2. It is necessary for the development of mathematical skills.
3. It allows both the teacher and the learners to accurately communicate mathematically
knowledge.

Mathematical symbols are used to represent a variety of quantities, concepts, and ideas.
Some of the commonly used mathematical symbols are:

Mathematical Expression
A mathematical expression is a set of mathematical symbols that can be used to represent a
mathematical object of interest; it is the mathematical equivalent of an English word (Burns,
n.d).

Mathematical Sentence
A mathematical sentence is a right arrangement of mathematical symbols that expresses a
complete notion and is the mathematical equivalent of an English sentence. As a result,
asking if a sentence is true, false, sometimes true, or sometimes false makes sense.
Synonyms VS Verbs
In mathematics, synonyms denote the idea of the same object with different names.
For example,
2, 2 × 1, 8 ÷ 4 1 + 1, 4

These expressions may look different in symbols and notations but they all represent the
same number or value which is 2.

Synonyms VS Verbs
Mathematical sentences, like English sentences, have verbs.
Take, for example, the mathematical sentence below:
"2 + 3 = 5”.

If you read this sentence as “two plus three is equal to five”, it reveals that the verb in the
sentence is “is equal” or in the notation “=". The equal sign is one of the commonly used
verbs in mathematics.

Other elements in mathematical language

1. The importance of truth
2. Convention
3. Definition and undefined terms
4. Simplicity and elegance

Some difficulties in the mathematical language

1. The word “and” in mathematics means differently from its English use. In mathematics,
“and” is equivalent to plus.
2. The different uses of a number are to express quantity (cardinal), to indicate the
order (ordinal), and as a label (nominal).
3. Mathematical objects may be represented in many ways- for example, sets and functions.