Mathematics

in the Modern
World
Chapter 1:
 Mathematics
in our World
1.1 Patterns and Numbers in
Nature and the World
People associate mathematics with numbers,
numbers with computations, and
computations with complexities. This section
will set aside mathematics as a complex idea.

Nature is mathematics physical reflection.

One need not have mathematical training to
appreciate nature's beauty. Appreciation
comes in if one sees organized patterns in
nature.
What is a pattern?
 Pattern is a term used to describe repeating
objects or events. The patterns in nature do not
come from accident but from the connection
and interaction of organisms and other natural
objects. These patterns do not just give aesthetic
to one’s eyes but play an important role.
What is a pattern?

In Ian Stewart’s book “Nature’s

 Numbers”, he stated “by using mathematics
to organize and systematize our ideas about
patterns, we have discovered a great secret:
nature’s patterns are not just there to be
admired, they are vital clues to the rules that
govern natural processes”.
Here are some examples of nature's pattern.

Zebras and Tigers stripes

 Image by treehugger.com Image
by greenpeace.org.uk

Leopards' dotted skin Sand dunes

 Image by daiichitravel.com
Image by krugerpark.co.za

These patterns are called "self-organized

patterns" which means patterns formed without
external intervention.
Bees hive Spider webs

Image by beeculture.com Image by ratemds.com

 These patterns are called "invoked
organized patterns" which means patterns
formed with external intervention.
1.2 Fibonacci Sequence
What is Fibonacci sequence?

Fibonacci sequence is a sequence of numbers in

which terms are obtained by adding the two
previous terms in the sequence.
“Fibonacci sequence” was named after an
Italian mathematician Leonardo Pisano Bigollo
commonly known as “Leonardo Fibonacci”
who discovered the said sequence.
Consider the sequence
1 1 2 3 5 8 13…..

This process was observed during Leonardo

Pisano’s experiment on a pair of rabbits (one
male and one female) that lead to the discovery
of “Fibonacci sequence” or “Fibonacci
numbers”.

Patterns are related to numbers. The discovery

of Fibonacci numbers opened many other
discoveries from different fields in science.
Here are some examples of Fibonacci sequence
found in nature:

∙ Flower petals (Lilies have 3, buttercups have 5,

delphiniums have 8, marigolds have 13, asters
 have 21)

Image by homeguides.sfgate.com

Here are some examples of Fibonacci sequence

found in nature:

∙ Spiral pattern of seeds in Sunflower

∙ Broccoli

Image by mathisfun.com Image by

artlink.com.au

1.3 The Power of

Mathematics
Mathematics helps Organize Patterns
and Regularities in the World

• The numbers present not just in plants but

in any other natural objects display
mathematical regularities. These
regularities give deeper understanding on
nature’s phenomenon. Mathematics helps
organize these patterns which are clues to
uncover the underlying rules and
regularities in the world.
Mathematics helps Predict the Behavior of
Nature and Phenomena in the World
 • Math does help predict the behavior of nature
and phenomena in the world. It is often
desirable to describe the behavior of some real
life system or phenomenon, whether physical,
sociological, or even economic, in
mathematical terms. The mathematical
description of a system of phenomenon is
called a mathematical model and is
constructed with certain goals in mind.
• Researchers observe nature and phenomena
and try to make a mathematical model that
 works for their observation. Basically, they
try to generalize, or find a rule, for what they
observe. After that, these models can be used
for simulations which help predict what will
happen.
Here are some known mathematical models:

∙ Newton's Laws of Motion

∙ Electromagnetic Equations
∙ Theory of Relativity
∙ Pythagorean Theorem
∙ Exponential Growth Model
Models range from simple to complex, from
deterministic to stochastic or probabilistic, from
time-dependent to not. There are also usually
different models for the same phenomena,
depending on what aspect of the phenomena the
researchers focus on. As stated, models can be
probabilistic, so Math cannot always actually
determine phenomena. But, it can give probabilities,
or benchmarks. Although we could not predict
when earthquakes would happen, we can at least
give probability when will be its next occurrence
and can also identify which places to watch out for.
Mathematics helps Control Nature and
Occurrences in the World for our Own
Ends

No one has the power to control natural

occurrences in the world. However, experts
developed models that will predict natural
phenomenon. As discussed in subsection
1.3.2, these models will somehow control
the occurrences or if not, it will give us
information to prepare ourselves from
 future disaster.
Here are some examples:

∙ Weather forecasting (helps us plan our

everyday activities)
∙ Medical trials (helps us discover new
treatments, detect, diagnose and reduce the
risk of disease)
∙ Population growth (helps us prepare the
possible effects in economics, environment
and health)
Mathematics has Numerous Applications in
Making it Indispensable

Mathematics is everywhere. We are living

in a world where mathematics is behind
every activity. We need not to understand
the intricacy of mathematics to live our
lives. All we have to do is to enjoy what it
offers.
Applications of Math in everyone‘s everyday life
1.Calculating money and finance
2.Counting number of students in a class
3.Time taken for your travel
4.Building construction
5.Measuring Quantity of liquid, food etc.
6.Distance covered when you walk from point A
to point B.
Some Scientific Applications:

• Finding time and position of objects

• Finding paths or trajectories
• Explaining theories in Physics and Chemistry •
Oscillating of currents, string, vibrations, LCR circuits •
Finding area, perimeter and volumes
• Calculating work, potential, torque, momentum
• Population growth of a city or a country
• Decay of nuclei, chemical reactions
• Calculating minimum and maximum values of function
• Solving and analyzing real-life situations