MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

(GEC3)
LESSONS AND LECTURE BY MARIE JOY VERGARA

CHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

PATTERNS IN NATURE
There are a lot of pattern on our surroundings, explore and you will notice some patterns such as your tiles,
designs on walls, windows, flowers or even spider web. Natural patterns are visible regular forms found in the natural
world. The patterns can sometimes be modelled mathematically and they include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders,
waves, foams, tessellations, cracks, and stripes. All those patterns can be describe by mathematics. Patterns in living
things express the underlying biological processes.
Mathematical Patterns in nature: https://ecstep.com/natural-patterns/
The Nature of Mathematics: https://youtu.be/NVRF_9tb__o
Mathematics
More of reasoning and making logical inferences and generalizations (Science of patterns)
In 1202, Leonardo Fibonacci introduced the Fibonacci number sequence. It turns out that simple equations
involving the Fibonacci numbers can describe most of the complex spiral growth patterns found in nature.
The two patterns that govern the natural world are geometric and numerical. Geometric patterns offer
structure and organization, while thru numerical patterns, existing relationships were simplified. The patterns in
nature, such as animal reproduction and petal arrangements, could be summarized thru the Fibonacci Sequence. This
sequence, named after Leonardo Pisano Bogollo, also nicknamed “Fibonacci”, derives the succeeding numbers by
adding the two preceding numbers. In formula:
F n= F n−1+ F n−2
Where: F n= Fibonacci number
F n−1=the previous term
F n−2=the term before Fn-1
Term 0+1=1 5 8
0 1 1 2 3 1+1=2
( F ¿¿ n)¿ 1+2=3
Term no. (n) 0 1 2 3 4 2+3=5
3+5=8
5 6
………..
What is the 80th term of the Fibonacci sequence? It may take you an hour or more to find. However, one may
calculate the Fibonacci number using the Golden Ratio. It is usually denoted using the Greek letter "phi" φ or∅ .
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
1+√ 5 −
Golden Ratio Formula: ∅= =1.618034 Binet's Formula: 2 2
2 F n=
√5
For example: Find the 80th term of the Fibonacci sequence.

( ) ( ) = F =( ) ( )
n n 80 80
1+√ 5 1−√ 5 1+ √ 5 1−√ 5
− −
2 2 2 2 = 23,416,728,348,467,685
F n= 80
√5 √5
 Golden Ratio: Note:
Short ratio = long ratio ÷ 1.618
Long ratio = (short ratio) (1.618)

CHAPTER 2: MATHEMATICS AS A LANGUAGE

INTRODUCTION
Comprehending a message is better understood once a person understand how things are said and may know
why it is said. The use of language in mathematics is far from ordinary speech. It can be learned but needs a lot of efforts
like learning a new dialect or language.
Language is a systematic means of communicating of ideas or feelings by the use of conventional symbols,
sounds or marks having understood meaning. If in the English alphabet, we began with the symbols; A, B, C, D… In
mathematics, we are introduced with the symbols; 1, 2,3,4,5, ÷,=,+,* to denote quantity and operations
The Language of Mathematics and Symbols: https://youtu.be/09RShW_ilWg
The language of Mathematics: https://youtu.be/ZaGXAR_Q6Nk
Characteristics of the Language of mathematics
The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to
express. It is:
 PRECISE (able to make fine distinctions);
 CONCISE (able to say things brief);
 POWERFUL (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease).
ENGLISH: Noun VS Sentences
Nouns are used to name things we want to talk about (like people, places, and things); whereas sentences are used to state
complete thoughts or ideas. For example, a typical sentence has atleast one noun and at least one verb. “Carol loves mathematics”,
here, ‘carol and ‘mathematics’ are nouns; ‘loves’ is a verb.
MATH: Expressions VS Sentences
Mathematical sentences state a complete thought, while mathematical expressions do not and can’t be tested if true or
false.
Mathematical Sentence Mathematical Expression Note:
-11 + 7 = 4 26.14 W/ equal sign = Sentence/equation
1 – 4 = -3 5+2 W/o equal sign = Expression
1∙x=x x+

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Write numbers before letters: 4b+2x+7y
 Arrange the letters alphabetically: x+y-z
 Sets are written using capital letters: A, B, C
 Elements of a set are written using lowercase letters inside
braces: A={a,b,c}
 A lowercase letter near the end of alphabet like x,y or z
represents an element of the set of real numbers
 A lowercase letter near the middle of the alphabet particularly from i to n may represent an element of the set
of integers.
SETS
Set: a collection of any object. It is a mathematical expression in which a name is given to some collection of objects.
Elements or members: refer to the objects in a set.
Finite set: If the number of elements in a set can be enumerated.
Infinite set: with unlimited number of elements.
Empty/null set: A set that has no members. Denoted using { } or Φ.
Listing method: a way of describing the set in which the members are separated by commas and enclosed in braces like
set S = {4, 8, 12}.
: The set has 3 elements which are 4, 8, and 12.
Symbol Read as
∈ “is in” / “is an element of”/ “is a member of”
∉ “is not in”/”is not an element of”/”is not a member of”
Subsets
 set S = {4, 8, 12}
 Subsets = {4},{8}, {12}, {4, 8}, {4, 12}, {8, 12}, {4, 8, 12} and {}
Subsets are smaller groups within the sets. This could be just one element, two elements, three or more, it also includes
the null set or the empty set. A set is a subset of a grievances if any one of the following three conditions holds: it is the
given set, it is the empty, for each member of the set is also an element of the given set.

Functions and Relations

A relation is a pairing of input values with output value. It can be shown as a set of ordered pairs (x, y), where x is an
input and y is an output.
The set of input values 𝑥 for a relation is called a domain, and the set of output values 𝑦 is called the range.
A function is a relation where there is only one output for each input.

Set of ordered pairs:

{(M,6),(A,2),(T,8),(H,4)}

Binary Operations
 "binary" means composition of two pieces.
 Binary operation refers to joining two values to create a new one.
 Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (x), and division (+) are examples of binary operations.

Properties of addition and multiplication, as binary operations on the set of real numbers.
I. Closure Property
 II. Commulative Property
Note:
III. Associative Property Read Mathematics in the Modern World by
IV. Identity Property Manlulu Hipolito, page 24-26
V. Distributive Property
VI. Inverses of Binary Operations