Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, 4417
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: ca.pasacao@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 513-9519

MODULE
IN
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
(GEC 2)

Prepared by

Ramon R. Monte
Assistant Professor II

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 MODULE 1
MATHEMATICS AS A STUDY OF PATTERNS
INTRODUCTION
We live in a world of patterns. The earth, with regularity, revolves around the sun in 365.25 days
(approximately 365 days). We expect hot days during dry season, and rains and floods during wet
season. Not only that, the earth, with regularity, too, rotates around its axis every 24 hours. We spend
our daytime on worthwhile activities and our nighttime mostly on sleep.
The moon also revolves around the earth, and goes into phases: new moon turns to full moon, and
then the full moon wanes to new moon again. This occurrence occurs regularly every month (29.5
days to be exact). With these phases comes the tide in our oceans and rivers that affect the lives of
farmers and fishermen.
This module deals with the types and importance of patterns so common in mathematics, that have
so many applications in our daily lives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the nature of mathematics as a study of pattern;
2. Differentiate patterns and predict a figure/number in a given sequence; and
3. Discuss the occurrence of mathematics in nature.

LEARNING RESOURCES

The learner is encouraged to have a copy of any textbook in Mathematics in the Modern World.

The following books are references for the entire module.

Nocon, R., & Nocon, E. (2018). Essential Mathematics for the Modern World. C&E Publishing, Inc.

Calingasan, R., Martin M. & Yambao, E. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. C&E
Publishing, Inc.

You also need an android phone or laptop with internet connectivity to be used for Fb-GC updates,
Google meet, and zoom.

EXPLORE
Lesson 1.1 What is Mathematics?

In this module, we will focus on mathematics as a study of patterns.

Let us answer the following questions:

Why do you need to study mathematics?

What is the importance of mathematics in your daily life?

Mathematics is defined as the study of numbers and arithmetic operations. Others describe
mathematics as a set of tools or a collection of skills that can be applied to questions of “how many”
or “how much.” Mathematics is also considered an art which studies patterns for predictive purposes
or a specialized language which deals with form, size, and quantity.

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Numerous definitions from different sources are given to “mathematics.” For example, the
Encyclopedia Britanica defines mathematics as “the science of structure, order, and relations that has
evolved from elemental practices of counting, measuring, and describing the shapes and
characteristics of objects.” This definition is the closest to the mathematics that is evident in the
modern world today.

Lesson 1.2 Types of Patterns

The British mathematician, G. H. Hardy, compared mathematicians to poets and painters, in their role
as pattern-makers. Patterns made by mathematicians are made up of great and lasting ideas.
Mathematics, then, may be considered as the study of patterns. Patterns are everywhere. And people
are used to pattern-seeking behaviors throughout their life.

Nocon & Nocon (2018) mentions four types of patterns: logic patterns, number patterns, geometric
patterns, and word patterns. Only two types will be discussed here.

Logical Patterns: Perhaps most of you have seen this when you took an aptitude test before. Logical
patterns abound in logical reasoning questions in tests.

Example 1

Look carefully at the sequence of symbols or figures to find the pattern. What should be the figure in
this sequence?

Example 2

What will be the next figure in the sequence?

a) b) c) d)

Number Patterns. The first step in determining the rule that defines the pattern is to look for
differences between two consecutive numbers. The number pattern helps make generalizations of
how the numbers are arranged in a sequence. If there is no logic (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, squares, cubes, primes, etc.) in the differences, find other oprations used in the pattern.

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Example 1
What should be the next number in the blank? 100, 98, 96, 94, .

Example 2
What is the next number in the pattern? 1, 4, 9, 16, .

Example 3
What is the next number in the sequence? 11, 13, 17, 19, .

DISCUSSION BOARD
Let us find out how much you have learned in this lesson. This is a non-graded activity.

Millions of patterns can be found in the environment. These patterns occur in various forms and in
different contexts which can be modeled mathematically.
Cite some examples of patterns in nature.
Example: Tesselation or tilling - is a pattern of shapes that fit perfectly together; that is, a pattern of
shapes that have no overlaps or gaps.

POST-COMPETENCY CHEKLIST
Let us now evaluate what you have learned for this lesson. This time, the activity is graded.

Learning Activity 1.1 (10/10)

A. Which one is the figure that is the most appropriate to replace the box marked with a
question mark? Write the letter of your choice and explain your choice briefly.

1)

A B C D
Answer:
2)

A B C D
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Answer:

3.

A B C D
Answer:

B. Determine the number that follows in each of these sequences.

Sequence of Numbers Answer

1. 11, 13, 17, 19, 23,
2. 200, 198, 196, 194,
3. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36,
4. 1, 8, 27, 64, 125,

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