MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

MODULE

Nature of Mathematics
Overview
Welcome to Nature of Math!
In this module, we will discuss the famous Fibonacci numbers and how this
sequence of numbers appeared in some patterns in nature. Also, we will explore the
application of this sequence and a closely related number called the Golden Ratio.
Taken together, the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio offer a wonderful
opportunity for you to learn mathematics and at the same time appreciate nature.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
[1] identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world.
[2] explain the importance of mathematics in one’s life.
[3] argue about the nature of Mathematics, what it is, how it is used, expressed, and
represented.
[4] express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

Reference:
[1] E. C. Baltazar, C. Ragasa, and J. Evangelista. “Mathematics in the Modern
World”. C & E Publishing, Inc., 2018.
[2] D. Sobecki et al. “Math in Our World, 4th Edition”. McGraw-Hill Education,
2019.
[3] Lecture notes in Fibonacci Sequence. Retrieved from Fibonacci Sequence
[4] J. Chasnov. "Fibonacci Numbers and The Golden Ratio". Creative Commons
Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License, 2016.
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Activity 1.1: The Map of Mathematics

Watch Video (11 – 20 minutes).
Watch this video about how Mathematics is summarized in a single map. This
shows how pure and applied mathematics relate to each other.
Watch here
The Map of Mathematics

Activity 1.2: Science Documentary

Watch Video (52 – 70 minutes).
Watch this another video on how humankind explored math's astonishing power
across the centuries.
Is math an invention or a discovery? Is it humankind's clever trick or the language
of the universe?
Watch here
Decoding the Secret Patterns of Nature - Fibonacci Ratio …
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Share and Discuss: Nature of Math

Instructions
Based on the presentations/videos that you have watched and from your
experience, Share your answer by writing 4 or 5 sentences on our discussion
board using the following guide questions (10 pts).
● What is math?
● Where is math?
● Who uses math
Your discussion post will be graded using the rubric below:
Answer a Question Rubrics

Criteria Rating Points

1 pt
3 pts 2 pts
Learners
Learners Learners
Content identified at 3 pts
identified 4-5 identified 2-3
least 1
keywords. keywords.
1keyword.
3 pts 1 pt
2 pts
Learner was Learner was
Learner was not
able to not able to
Description able to convey
discuss the discuss the
and the experience 3 pts
experience in experience
Grammar well, and had
a clear, well, with many
some grammar
concise misuse of
misuse.
manner. grammar.
2 pts
4 pts 1 pt
Learner wrote
Learner wrote Learner wrote
Relevance an experience
an experience an experience
of that does not 4 pts
that answered that is not
Experience really answer
the questions relevant to the
the guide
asked. question.
questions.
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Patterns in Nature
Patterns
Patterns exist when a number, shape, or color occur repeatedly. They are found
everywhere in plants, animals, human beings, and in the universe.

Example would be the experience of

sunrise every morning and sunsets every
afternoon and why the spring season begins
at different months for the Northern and
Southern hemispheres?

These regularities are clear

patterns in nature. Patterns
help us organize ideas or
information that can help us
understand ourselves, our life
and the world. Most of the time,
number patterns are more
likely associated with
mathematics.
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Leonardo of Pisa
The Book of Calculation
Now, speaking of number patterns, let’s talk
about the Fibonacci sequence. But first, who
is Fibonacci? Fibonacci is an Italian
mathematician whose real name is Leonardo
Pisano. Literally, Leonardo of Pisa. This is
because he was born in Pisa Italy at almost
the same time when Italians started building
the famous leaning tower of Pisa.

Photo from: www.mathscareers.org.uk/article/the-mathematics-of-rabbit-island

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He existed around 1170 to 1250 and is said to be the

greatest European mathematician of the middle
ages. He traveled in Africa and some parts of Asia
where he met different mathematicians. His famous
book Liber Abaci, or the Book of Calculation,
introduced the concept of Hindu-Arabic numerals to
Europe in 1202. In mathematics history, it is believed
that the concept of zero originated in India and the
sequence named after him had been described
earlier in the Indian Mathematics.

Photo from: www.mathstimes.com/just-for-fun-in-fibonacci-sequence/

The Rabbit Puzzle Problem

Let’s now have Fibonacci’s famous rabbit puzzle which was published in 1202.
The problem goes like this.

At the beginning of a month,

you are given a male-female pair of
newborn rabbits. Rabbits take a
month to mature before mating. This
means that after a month the rabbits
have produced no offspring.
However, every month thereafter, the
pair of rabbits produces another pair
of rabbits which are male and female.
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The offspring reproduce in exactly the same manner. If none of the rabbits
dies, how many pairs of rabbits will there be after one full calendar year?

Photo from: https://animals.mom.me/make-better-pets-male-female-rabbits-8677.html

To illustrate the solution, let us consider young rabbit pairs and adult rabbit pairs.
At the start of the first month, one pair of young rabbits are introduced into the
population. Since it takes one month for rabbits to get mature before mating, then at the
start of the second month no new pair of rabbits are introduced. However, this marks
the reproduction of the next generation since the young pair in the first month are now
the mature pair of rabbits. Now, at the start of the third month, there are two rabbit pairs.
The adult pairs, which are the parents, and the young pairs, which are the baby pairs.
Following this pattern, the adult pair begets a baby pair but the previous baby pair
simply matures. So a family of 3 rabbit pairs are present at the start of the fourth month
and so on.
Take a look at the table below to see a total pair of rabbits after one year,
assuming none of the rabbits dies. The number of total rabbit pairs at each generation
constitutes a Fibonacci sequence. And the number of rabbit pairs at the start of the 13th
month, can be taken as the solution to Fibonacci’s puzzle. That is, 233.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Month
(J) (F) (M) (A) (M) (J) (J) (A) (S) (O) (N) (D) (J)

young 1 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89

adult 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144

Total 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233

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Fibonacci Numbers
Fibonacci Numbers / Sequence
Photo from: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/592504894705121903/

From the previous

table, let’s look at the total
number of rabbit pairs with
respect to months. Those
are the sequences in the
last row.
The sequence goes
like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13,
21, 34, 55… This is a
number sequence called
the Fibonacci Sequence.
The Fibonacci Sequence
has a unique pattern.
If we look at this number 2 here, we see that this number 2 is 1 plus 1. It's the
sum of the preceding two numbers. Also, the number 3 is 1 plus 2. The number 5 is 2
plus 3, the number 8 is 3 plus 5, 13 is 5 plus 8 and so on.
So every number then is the sum of the preceding two numbers.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Month
(J) (F) (M) (A) (M) (J) (J) (A) (S) (O) (N) (D) (J)

young 1 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89
adult 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144
Total 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233

We define the Fibonacci sequence as follows.

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Definition:
Fibonacci numbers Fn are numbers in a sequence called Fibonacci Sequence.
The Fibonacci Sequence is the series of numbers that follow a pattern as
shown:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55,…
The nth term is obtained by adding two previous terms

The recursion relation gives the next Fibonacci number as

the sum of the preceding two numbers. To start the recursion, we need to specify

and to be both 1. In the Book of Calculation, zero is not the first Fibonacci number.

But if zero is included in the sequence, we can let . And amazingly it doesn’t
violate the recursion formula. It can even extend to negative indices with negative
values.
Fibonacci discovered that the number of pairs of rabbits for any month after the
first two months can be determined by adding the numbers of pairs of rabbits in each of
the two previous months. For instance, the number of pairs of rabbits at the start of the
seventh month is 5 + 8 = 13.

Example:
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …..

Fn 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 …..

(1) Find F7.

Solution: Refer to the table above. The answer is F7 = 13 or
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(2) Find F8.

Solution: Refer to the table above. The answer is F8 = 21 or

(3) Find F14.

Solution: Follow the pattern until you reach 14th term.

n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 …..

Fn 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 …..

Thus, F14 = 377.

Alternative Solution: Suppose we are only given values in the table below.

n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 …..

Fn 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 …..
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Different Patterns
The Fibonacci
numbers are so amazing
that we can see them
almost everywhere
around us. Have you
tried counting petals of
flowers? In most flowers,
we can see these
numbers.
A calla lily has
only 1 petal. A trillium
has 3. Buttercup, wild
rose and hibiscus have 5. Cosmos has 8. Corn marigold, cineraria and ragwort have 13.
Some asters have 21 and a daisy can have 13, 21, 34, 55 or 89 petals.
And what is special about these numbers? Exactly! These are the first few
numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. But remember, not all flower petals follow the
Fibonacci sequence.
Photo From:Math in the Modern World, C&E Publishing Inc.

Now, take a closer look

into this photo of a sunflower.
Notice the apparent spirals in
the florets radiating out from the
center to the edge. These
spirals appear to rotate both
clockwise and
counterclockwise. By counting
them, one finds 21
counterclockwise spirals and 34
clockwise spirals. Surprisingly,
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the numbers 21 and 34 are consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Other sunflowers have 34
counterclockwise spirals and 55 clockwise spirals.
Do you think this is just a coincidence? In fact, all the sunflowers in the world
show a number of spirals that are within the Fibonacci sequence.
Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lucapost/694780262

Let’s take a look at these pineapples. Pineapples have spirals formed by their
hexagonal nubs.
The nubs on
many pineapples
form 8 spirals that
rotate diagonally
upward to the left
and 13 spirals
that rotate
diagonally upward to the right. We can also observe 21 parallel rows of nubs spiraling
steeply. And again, the numbers 8, 13 and 21 are consecutive Fibonacci numbers.
Photo from: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/552183604289466781/

The sequence is
also observed in the
growth of plant and
vegetable branches, or
even in some vines
spinning around the
stalk. Inside the fruit of
many plants we can also
observe the presence of
Fibonacci order. Cut an
apple crosswise and you
will see 5 sections. A
common citrus could
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have 8 and most bananas have 3 sections. Photos from:

https://app.cosillasinteresantes.com/science/c/0/i/39614193/fibonacci-sequence-and-golden-ratio

We also have pattern arrangement of seeds in fruits. For example, pine nuts.
Pine nuts grow always
from the base of the pine
cone as spirals towards
right and towards left.
Counting these spirals
towards both sides gives
us Fibonacci numbers. 8
spirals spinning
counterclockwise and 13
spirals spinning
clockwise.
The same pattern is also observed in the spirals of some succulents and cacti. It
seems like it is happening by coincidence, but these patterns are also present in
broccoli, snail shells, human bone, dolphins, hurricane shapes or even the complex
structures of a galaxy. Actually there are still a lot more examples of Fibonacci numbers
appearing in nature.

Activity 2.1: Fibonacci Numbers

Watch a Video (10 – 15 minutes).
Fibonacci numbers are so fascinating that you can see them in nature.
Here is a video about Fibonacci numbers and where you can see them in
nature.
Watch the video
Fibonacci Sequence || Nature of Mathematics
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The Golden Ratio

Another name for golden ratio is the Divine Proportion .The golden ratio (symbol
∅ is the Greek letter "phi") is a special number approximately equal to 1.618. The
golden ratio is obtained by dividing a line segment, say AB at point C such that the ratio
of the longer piece and the shorter piece is equal to the ratio of the original line segment
to the longer piece.
Many buildings and artworks have the Golden Ratio in them, such as the
Parthenon in Greece, but it is not really known if it was designed that way. Some artists
believe that a rectangle constructed following a golden ratio is the most pleasing shape.
Hence, the golden ratio is the math beauty.
Photo From: https://misfitsarchitecture.com/parthenon-with-golden-ratio/

Two positive numbers a and b, with a > b is

said to be in the golden ratio if the ratio
between the larger number and the smaller
number is the same as the ratio between
their sum and the larger number, that is,
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Photo From: Math in the Modern World, C&E Publishing

Inc.

The number 1.618… is obtained from a straightforward application of the

quadratic formula solving this equation

where is the golden ratio.

Activity 2.2: The Golden Rectangle

Construct the golden rectangle (8 – 12 minutes).
A golden rectangle is a rectangle whose side lengths are in the golden
ratio. Follow the procedure below and construct your own golden rectangle.

(1) Construct a unit square

(2) Draw a line from the midpoint M of one side to a corner of the
opposite side O. Label this as segment P where P=MO.
(3) With center at M and radius P, draw an arc from O to an extension
of the side with the midpoint M. The point of intersection (Q) of this
extension and arc will be the corner point of the golden rectangle.
(4) Complete the golden rectangle. Verify that the ratio of the length to
the width is approximately 1.618.
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The Golden Spiral

The golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral whose radius either increases or

decreases by a factor of the golden ratio

It has the special property such that for every 1/4 turn (90° or π/2 in radians), the
distance from the center (central point of spiral) increases by the golden ratio. If you
notice the picture of the Parthenon in the previous page, you can see that it fits the
golden spiral. That means the rectangular facade of the structure satisfies the golden
ratio. Below is a beautiful picture of a golden spiral. The central point is where the
spiraling squares accumulate.

Photo From: Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio, Jeffrey Robert Chasnov

Remark: Spiral Center

The intersection of the red and blue diagonal lines marks the accumulation point
of all the golden rectangles, and locates the center of the golden spiral.
See the figure below.
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Photo From: Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio, Jeffrey Robert Chasnov

Fibonacci and Golden Ratio

The Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio
There is a mathematical relationship between the Fibonacci numbers and the
golden ratio. The ratio of two consecutive Fibonacci numbers as n becomes large,
approaches the golden ratio. Recall the first few Fibonacci numbers,

n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 …..

Fn 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 …..

the limit of as n approaches infinity is the golden ratio, that is, approximately
1.618.
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For example, Let us take F6. But the ratio of F6 and F5 is exactly 1.6, that is,

However, picking a larger Fibonacci number, say F12, and gets it ratio to the
Fibonacci number before it we have

Again, as we increase the value of n indefinitely, this ratio will give us the true
value of the golden ratio.
This is a table that shows a relationship
between consecutive Fibonacci numbers which
approaches the golden ratio.

https://realworldmathematics.wordpress.com/the-golden-ratio/the-golden-ratio/

Golden Ratio in Human Beings

We call the golden ratio the divine proportion because human beauty is based on
the divine proportion. Take a look at the following golden ratio proportions in the human
face.
[a] center of pupil : bottom of teeth : bottom of chin
[b] outer and inner edge of eye : center of nose
[c] outer edges of lips : upper ridges of lips
[d] width of center tooth : width of second tooth
[e] width of eye : width of iris
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The ratio between the forearm and the hand also yields a value close to the golden
ratio. In fact, our body has a lot of proportions that are close to the golden ratio.
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As mentioned in the previous discussion, the golden spiral can also be seen in
snail shells, in the human body, hurricane shapes or even the complex structures of a
galaxy.
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Photo References:
1. //www.pinterest.ph/pin/68609594303715865/ (Human Face)
2. //www.pinterest.ph/pin/68609594303715865/ (Human Body)
3. https://parth3141.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/the-fibonacci-sequence-the-golden-
ratio-and-mathematics-in-nature/ (Human Ear)
4. http://swanky-sahil.blogspot.com/ (Human Arm)
5. http://goldenratioinart.artinterp.org/omeka/goldenratioinnature (Snail Shell)
6. https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/166070304983123037/ (Hurricane)
7. https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/320318592228264775/ (Galaxy)
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Activity 2.3: Face Analysis

How beautiful are you?

Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ancient Greeks defined beauty in a
different way.
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(1a) For Women only.

Measure the length and width of your face and then divide the length by the width.
If the quotient (ratio) is close to the golden ratio then according to the Greek belief, you
are a living goddess.

(1b) For Men only.

Measure the shoulder circumference s and waist size w and divide s by w. Is the
ratio close to 1.618? If not, what should be your ideal waist size to make you stand like
a Greek God?

(2) Look for a partner, decide who will be the model, then do the face analysis.
Click this LINK to analyze your facial features online.
In using the online calculator, please make sure to use the same metric system in
determining the input values.
i.e. If you use inches, use inches for every measurement. If you use a meter, use
meters for every measurement.
This is for a more accurate calculation of your Face Analysis.

Photo reference:
https://medium.com/@uniyal.prateek20/want-to-build-a-greek-god-body-81052f397f87

Activity 2.3 Submission Bin

Instructions
Add an image or documentation of your Activity 2.3.
If a document is to be submitted, submit in pdf format.

Note: Name your files appropriately.

LastName_NameInitials_Section_activityNo.