Lopez, John Lennon S.

Mathematics in the Modern World

ARC 2102 19-03870

Mathematics, as defined by Ian Stewart is the process of recognizing, classifying

and exploiting patterns. In the real world, it can be observed in every aspect. Ever since
we were in school, our teachers always play us that “Mathematics is Everywhere” song
so that we can’t forget how vital it is in our society which corresponds to the study of
Mosvold, R. (2006), wherein teachers uses real-life connections regarding math worded
problems.

Some living evidence of it are the constellation of stars, snowflakes, zebra’s

lines, waves and dunes, lunar holes, and rainbows. However, these patterns are
categorized into two, fractals and chaos. These two are different from each other.

Fractals can be easily found wherever we lay our eyes on. It can be easily
observed in nature. It does not only provide aesthetic appeal in nature but as what
Hagerhall et al (2015) found out, it helps humans to be in a relaxed state and think in
peace just because of the fractal patterns. A perfect example of it is a snowflake.

The other type of pattern is chaos. It is more like undefined and from the world
itself, chaotic. The most obvious representation of it is a cloud where at any instance,
can change its shape or form just because of some factors.

Since, we’re talking about patterns, let’s provide some examples wherein
mathematics could be seen. In botanic creatures, from which Fibonacci sequence can
be applied. A sequence composes of two numbers, added together, thus filling the
unknown number next in line, and it goes on as a process infinitely. It could be observed
on a sunflower seed, in the petals of flowers, pinecones and the line. In the study of
Minorva, N. (2014), he concluded that Fibonacci sequence can be seen mainly in
flowers. However, this mystery still can’t be solved by the scientist and mathematicians.
 Aside from flowers, patterns can also be observed in the growth population of
animals. Jacquie McGlade, David Rand, and Howard Wilson conducted a study wherein
the subject are the rabbits and fox. They observed the dynamic behavior of animal
population through computer simulation. At first, they created a grid of squares wherein
they were able to find out that the population of rabbit within a specific region changes
over time. They concluded that if you look at tiny region, you will perceive something
extremely complicated unlike in a too large region wherein all you see much simpler
such as statistics of the population.

Also, aside from the observation of patterns in animals and forms in nature,
patterns can be feel or be seen within ourselves. Whenever we breathe or how our
heart beats, it is all in rhythm. Even the movements of our legs and other mammals
such as dogs and cats. This study is called gait analysis. It is the study of the
locomotion of the limb movements of mammals. In order to prove the rhythmic activities
of our legs, it needs to be done so that it can be proved its legitimateness.

In addition, there are some things that also provides patterns or equal look when
divided or rotated. It is called symmetry. Symmetry is a state where a thing has the
same features when divided or rotated. There are different kinds of symmetry.