GE 4 Mathematics in Nature

Negros Oriental State University | www.norsu. edu.ph Mathematics Department | email: mathdept.norsu@gmail.
com / Facebook: Mathematics Department - NORSU
Mathematics in the
Modern World
by Marrah Shane E. Gaer
Negros Oriental State University | www.norsu. edu.ph Mathematics Department | email: mathdept.norsu@gmail.com / Facebook: Mathematics Department - NORSU
Mathematics in Nature ⃒ 1
Email: marrahshane.gaer@gmail.com / Facebook: Marrah Shane Elusfa Gaer / YouTube: Marrah Shane
“Man is a recipient of mathematical truth and

knows only a part of it.”
- Marrah Shane Gaer
Mathematics in Nature| by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

In this digital world, people have become highly driven by new

technologies and have forgotten to appreciate beautiful creations in nature.
Some have also forgotten to appreciate simple things in their daily lives such as
waking up in the morning, going to school, meeting new people, and
concluding a day. These are few of the mathematical truths that people even
haven’t recognized. To be more aware of the mathematical truths around you,
read the passage “The Daydreamer”.
Mathematics in the Modern World | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

The Daydreamer
by: Marrah Shane Gaer
Clock was disturbingly ringing on a sunny Monday morning when Loila
had her eyes slightly opened. She put off her clock, stood from her bed, and
watched the clockwise rotation of the clock’s hands when suddenly, the
clock rang again. She hurried to the bathroom and her thoughts were on the
bubbles floating and straightly falling to the squared floor tiles. Loila rode a
bus for school. Looking over the window, she observed and quickly counted
the white-painted lines between the lanes of the highway until the bus
beeped loudly. Loila got off the bus, stood in front of the gate,
unintentionally blocked the entrance, looked at the trees and recognized its
growing stems and the falling leaves. A traffic arose at the gateway and at
quite a shock, Loila’s teacher called her attention.
Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Questions to ponder:
1. What patterns are described in the passage?
2. What is the mathematical truth behind the passage?
3. How important are the patterns we see everyday?

The patterns described in the passage have their different

classifications. To name and describe each classification, we give you
definition and example. Pattern is a thing that is repeated or recurring
arrangement, form, or design following a rule or a sequence.
Example: Four dominoes shall be arranged.

To arrange them, rules must be considered in playing dominoes. Thus,

the arrangement of four dominoes must be like this:
or could be like this:

Classification of Most Common

Patterns in Nature

Symmetry is a pattern that shows reflection of images.
Figure 1.1 shows two pictures to explain two categories of

symmetry. The starfish is an example of a radial symmetry.
Radial symmetry is a symmetry formed around a central
axis. On the other hand, a fly is an example of a bilateral
symmetry. Bilateral symmetry is a concept that two
opposite sides have identical features.
Figure 1.1 Symmetry of a Starfish and a Fly
Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Examples of Symmetry
Bridge is an example of a bilateral symmetry. Bridges are

always constructed symmetrical because it is used to
connect two places divided by water and it is where people
pass. Some bamboo hanging bridges are not symmetrically
constructed which makes passers find it difficult to walk on.

Starfish is an example of a radial symmetry. Typically, animals

with radial symmetry live in water such as sea urchin and
jellyfish. Most of them can't move very quickly. They rely on
water currents to bring food to them. One advantage of
having radial symmetry is that the animal can get food from
any direction.

Butterfly is a perfect example of a bilateral symmetry. Its

wings are identical to each other. Butterflies must have
symmetrical features such as having equal measurement of
wings because if their wings are not symmetrical, then they
may not be able to fly higher and farther.

is a pattern which repeats at progressively

Fractal smaller sizes and angles.
Figure 1.2 shows how Pascal’s Triangle is done and

demonstrated. Pascal’s Triangle was introduced by Blaise
Pascal, a French mathematician. Pascal’s triangle is a
triangular array of numbers in which those at both sides
of the rows are 1 and the others are the sum of the
nearest two numbers in the row above. Pascal’s triangle is
Figure 1.2 The Pascal’s Triangle and
used as a concept in the transformation of fractals, shown the Transformation of Fractals
in the figure.

Examples of Fractal
Fern is an example of a fractal. It has its natural patterns. Its

stems and leaves are patterned from bigger to smaller
measurements but with the same shape. They are used as
decorations in various occasions. Ferns are also very
important because they have some medical benefits.

Examples of Fractal
Snowflake is another example of a fractal but can also be

classified as symmetry because aside from its flakes growing
in different sizes, it also shows radial symmetrical features. A
snowflake is formed through the molecules that stick
together at different surface orientations.

Examples of Fractal
Aloe Polyphylla is an example of a fractal. Its leaves have

similar shapes but do not have equal sizes. It also has a spiral
pattern. This type of plant has a spiral fractal characteristic
which is most commonly called spiral aloe.

is a pattern that moves around at a central

Spiral point and continuously widening.
Figure 1.3 shows a spiral pattern derived from the

fibonacci sequence, popularized by Leonardo of Pisa,
most commonly known as Fibonnaci. Fibonacci sequence
is the series of numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, …
where the next number is the sum of the two numbers
before it. These numbers form a perfect spiral pattern
Figure 1.3 The Fibonacci Spiral
shown in the figure.

Examples of Spiral
Seeds of a sunflower is an example of a spiral. In a sunflower,

there are two series of curves winding in opposite directions,
starting at the center and stretching out to the petals to
create a spiral. In this picture, fibonacci sequence is
demonstrated.

Examples of Spiral
Giant wave is also an example of a spiral because of the

curve it produces. The speed of the wind and the amount of
time the wind blows over the water releases more energy to
create bigger waves. The curve of the wave shows an
illustration of Fibonacci sequence.

Examples of Spiral
Snail shell is a perfect example of Fibonacci spiral. The shell’s

spiral pattern has internal chambers and when these
chambers are used by the snails, it adds on as it grows. Snail
shell serves as snail’s protection.

is a pattern that repeats figures

Tessellation closely fitting together with no gaps
in between.
Figure 1.4 shows three polygonal packings, namely: triangle
packing, square packing, and hexagonal packing. The three
polygons have the same perimeter and circles of the same
circumference are occupied in them. As shown, triangle can
have 6 circles. Square can have 6 circles as well, but some
spaces were not occupied. Hexagon can have 7 circles. Thus,
hexagonal packing is ideal for saving spaces. This is an existing Figure 1.4 The Polygonal Packing
proof that honeybees are economical in saving spaces as
storage for their honey. This is the concept of tessellation.

Examples of Tessellation
Honeycomb is an example of a tessellation. Honeycomb

structure is natural and is created for efficient use of space.
The hexagonal comb of the honeybees is admired by many
people. Anyone who has seen the hexagonal comb might
infer that honeybees are excellent mathematicians.

Pineapple fruit is an example of a tessellation while its crown

is classified as fractals. The hard rind of the pineapple is
made up of hexagonal units. Since the Philippines is the
second largest producer of pineapples in the world,
pineapple became one of the traditional ingredients of
Filipino foods such as ‘caldereta’ and ‘adobong manok’.

Turtle is an animal which has a distinctive pattern. Some

turtles’ skin and shells are patterned as tessellation. Turtles
carry a unique shell on their backs to serve as their
protective armor. Their special shells grow from separate
bones that help them in their breathing.

Exercises
1.1 Put a check mark/marks under the classification of each pattern in nature.
Patterns in Nature Symmetry Fractal Spiral Tessellation

Crab
Ensaymada bread
Peacock
Jigzaw puzzle
Pizza
Corals
Rubik’s cube
Spider web
Brick wall
Galaxy

Exercises
1. _____________
1.2 Write the letter of the next
term
in the sequence of patterns.
2. _____________
3. _____________
4. _____________

Exercises
1.3 Write a 150-word composition of your understanding about the statement of Galileo Galilei
on the language of mathematics.
“The laws of nature are written by the hand of God
in the language of mathematics.”

– Galileo Galilei

GE 4 Mathematics in Nature

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Negros Oriental State University | www.norsu. edu.ph Mathematics Department | email: mathdept.norsu@gmail.

com / Facebook: Mathematics Department - NORSU

“Man is a recipient of mathematical truth and

Mathematics in Nature| by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

In this digital world, people have become highly driven by new

Mathematics in the Modern World | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

The patterns described in the passage have their different

Example: Four dominoes shall be arranged.

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

To arrange them, rules must be considered in playing dominoes. Thus,

or could be like this:

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Classification of Most Common

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Symmetry is a pattern that shows reflection of images.

Figure 1.1 shows two pictures to explain two categories of

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Bridge is an example of a bilateral symmetry. Bridges are

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Starfish is an example of a radial symmetry. Typically, animals

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Butterfly is a perfect example of a bilateral symmetry. Its

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

is a pattern which repeats at progressively

Figure 1.2 shows how Pascal’s Triangle is done and

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Fern is an example of a fractal. It has its natural patterns. Its

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Snowflake is another example of a fractal but can also be

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Aloe Polyphylla is an example of a fractal. Its leaves have

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

is a pattern that moves around at a central

Figure 1.3 shows a spiral pattern derived from the

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Seeds of a sunflower is an example of a spiral. In a sunflower,

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Giant wave is also an example of a spiral because of the

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Snail shell is a perfect example of Fibonacci spiral. The shell’s

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

is a pattern that repeats figures

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Honeycomb is an example of a tessellation. Honeycomb

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Pineapple fruit is an example of a tessellation while its crown

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Turtle is an animal which has a distinctive pattern. Some

Classification of Patterns in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Patterns in Nature Symmetry Fractal Spiral Tessellation

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

“The laws of nature are written by the hand of God

in the language of mathematics.”

Mathematics in Nature | by Marrah Shane E. Gaer

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