Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B.

Acebron

The Nature of Mathematics

OVERVIEW
Mathematics is more than numbers and the
variable x. It does not end in finding the value of a
variable nor finding the solution set. It is more than
graphing on a Cartesian Plane and constructing a
three-dimensional figure. During your Practical
Research subject, Mathematics plays a big role in
collecting, organizing, and presentation of your data.
However, its application goes beyond than that of a
requirement. So, what is Mathematics? What role
does mathematics play in your life? In this chapter, https://pixnio.com/flora-plants/flowers/daisies-photos/closeup-of-a-daisy-flower
you will find out how mathematics is reflected in our nature.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Specifically, after learning the module, you are expected to:

• identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world (K)

• articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life (V)

• argue about the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed,

represented, and used (K)

• express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor (V)

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1.1 MATHEMATICS IN NATURE

Nothing can beat the beauty of nature. Finding mathematics in nature at a first
glance may seem less obvious. However, if one does take time to examine nature, then
one can describe its beauty mathematically.

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Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

Try counting the petals on each of these!

1. 2. 3.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/types-threepetal-flowers-49275.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58592/periwinkle.html https://www.britannica.com/plant/pheasants-eye

4. 5.

http://gofiguremath.org/natures-favorite-math/fibonacci-numbers/fibonacci-in-nature/
http://gofiguremath.org/natures-favorite-math/fibonacci-numbers/fibonacci-in-nature/

Did you count the petals on each of the flower? How many petals did you count?

The petals on each flower has 3, 5, 8, 13 and 21. The numbers 3, 5, 8, 13 and 21
are all parts of the Fibonacci Sequence. The number of petals of a flower is usually a
Fibonacci number. The man behind this sequence is Leonardo Pisano Bogollo, whose
nickname was “Fibonacci”.

The Fibonacci Sequence

is the series of numbers:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,
34, ...

2
Leonardo Pisano Bogollo
Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

Study the pattern of the Fibonacci Sequence below.

Term (Fn) 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 …
Term 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 …
number (n)

To get the 8th term which is 21, the sixth term and the seventh term are added. So,
8 + 13 = 21. Therefore, adding the two consecutive terms will result to another term of the
Fibonacci Sequence.
Fn = Fn-1 + F n-2
where: Fn = Fibonacci number
Fn -1 = the previous term
Fn-2 = the term before Fn -1

For Example,
Find the 9th term of the Fibonacci Sequence.
a. 9th term:
Fn = Fn-1 + F n-2
Fn = 21 + 13
Fn = 34
So, the 9th term of the Fibonacci Sequence is 34.
What is the 80th term of the Fibonacci Sequence? It may take you an hour or
more to find it. However, one may calculate the Fibonacci number using the Golden
Ratio. It is usually denoted using the Greek letter “phi” φ or ϕ.
The Golden Ratio is a special number which is approximately equal to 1.618034
and may be used to find the nth term of a Fibonacci Sequence using the Binet’s
formula.
𝑛 𝑛
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝐹𝑛 =
√5
Where,
n = Fibonacci number

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Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

Example,
Find the 35th term of the Fibonacci Sequence.
We will use the Benit’s formula to find the 35th term of the Fibonacci Sequence.
𝑛 𝑛
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝐹𝑛 =
√5
35 35
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝐹𝑛 =
√5
𝐹𝑛 = 9227465
So, 9,227,465 is the 35th term of the Fibonacci Sequence.

How Common Is the Fibonacci Sequence in Nature?

The Fibonacci appears in the smallest, to the largest objects in nature. It is a way
for information to flow in a very efficient manner.

Aside from the famous painting Mona Lisa,

Leonardo da Vinci was also known for his Vitruvian
Man. It was one of the most important works of the
Italian Renaissance. According to Vitruvius (1492),
the 15th century drawing was also known as “the
proportions of the human body”

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Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

Tree Branches

Although we all usually see trees

everywhere in our day to day life, how
often have you looked for the patterns in
them? In trees, the Fibonacci begins in the
growth of the trunk and then spirals
outward as the tree gets larger and taller.
We also see the golden ratio in their
branches as they start off with one trunk
which splits into 2, then one of the new
branches stems into 2, and this pattern
continues.

Seashells

When cut open, nautilus shells form a

logarithmic spiral, composed of
chambered sections called camerae. Each
new chamber is equal to the size of the two
camerae before it, which creates the
logarithmic spiral. This proportional growth
occurs because the nautilus grows at a
constant rate throughout its life until
reaching its full size

YOU!

You are an example of the

beauty of the Fibonacci
Sequence. The human body has
various representations of the
Fibonacci Sequence
proportions, from your face to
your ear to your hands. You
have now been proven to be
mathematically gorgeous.

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Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

1.2 NUMBERS AND PATTERNS

A sequence may be finite or infinite. The
Fibonacci sequence is an infinite sequence. A finite
sequence has a definite number of terms. A list of
numbers which form a pattern is called a sequence.
Number patterns may be described by examining
how the terms are being generated.

A pattern may have a list of numbers in which https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/621496817323869840/

a constant number is added to get the succeeding terms. For other sequences, the terms
are increasing because the number to be added is increasing in a predictable way. There
are number patterns whose terms are decreasing, because the number to be added is
decreasing in an expected way.

Examples:

To generate the next term, the number Example

to be added is

Repeating 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, …

growing/ increasing 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 29, …

Shrinking/ decreasing 118, 98, 73, 43, 8, -32, …

FEEDBACK

How did you go on so far with this module? What were your thoughts
regarding mathematics? Do you also notice patterns around you? What other
examples can you think of? Well my dear students, mathematics provides glimpses
into the nature and its patterns and how it is used to understand our world. Actually,
this understanding, in conjunction with other disciplines, contributes to a more
complete portrait of the world.
Please bear in mind that Mathematics is not just for the books, confined in
the classroom and Mathematics has place in our lives. We are done with our first
module and I hope you learned something about our lessons. I hope that eagerness
to learn will manifest in you as we proceed to our next lessons.

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Modules in Mathematics in the Modern World Apple Erika B. Acebron

SUMMARY
• The Fibonacci Sequence is 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, …

• To find a Fibonacci number, use the Binet’s formula. The symbol “n” stands for the
term number.
𝑛 𝑛
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝐹𝑛 =
√5
• The Golden Ratio is a special number which is approximately equal to 1.618034
• The pattern of a number sequence may be identified by scrutinizing how the terms
are related to one another. To generate the next term of some sequences, a
constant number is added, the number to be added increases, or the number to
be added decreases.