MATHEMATICS IN NATURE

Presented by: Jay Gallagher & Laura Lieberman

Definition of Mathematics
Mathematics

is the science of patterns and order

(Van De Walle, 2004)

Study of Patterns
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics suggests that,

The study of patterns should start at a very early age with rich and interesting experiences to facilitate a better understanding of the concepts related to functions and algebra that students will encounter later in upper middle school and throughout secondary school

Recognizing PATTERNS IN NATURE is a rich and interesting way for elementary and middle school students to study mathematics

Patterns in Nature
The natural world contains an infinite variety of patterns. Patterns are found in plants and animals. All living things create patterns. Patterns are constantly being created by simple physical laws

Flower Patterns

Flower Patterns
Patterns can be
Described in numbers and words Repeated Compared

Can you describe and compare these patterns? Are any patterns repeated?

Fibonacci Numbers
Leonardo Fibonacci is famous for a pattern or series of numbers The series starts with 0 and 1 Every subsequent number in the series is the sum of the previous two numbers 0,1,1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987,...

Fibonacci Numbers in Nature

Flowers often have a Fibonacci number of petals, daisies can have 34, 55 or even as many as 89 petals! The patterns of seeds in a sunflower appear to be spiraling outwards. There are a Fibonacci number of spirals. This pattern keeps the seeds uniformly packed no matter how large the seed head. Pinecone Spirals: These two numbers, 8 and 13, are consecutive numbers in the Fibonacci series

Nature Walk Lets take a nature walk to examine more patterns in nature

Patterns in Objects

Patterns in Actions
Ducks in a Row Migration Routes of Monarch Butterflies Weather Patterns Conservation and the water cycle Time

Patterns in Characteristics

Patterns in Sounds
Cricket sounds Waves

Bird Sounds

Studying patterns will lead to

Variables and Equations Variables as pattern generalizations

And other problems to solve

Problems Using Patterns

By understanding the relationship in patterns, problems that involve patterns, like the one below can be solved!
The surface area of one cube is 6 units: This is how one student solved the problem:

M.C. Escher
Escher uses patterns in his artwork that connects mathematics and nature

.
Visit http://www.mcescher.com/

Recommended Books
Lots & Lots of Zebra Stripes: Patterns in Nature, by Stephen R.
Swinburne

Natures Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You, by

Susan Stockdale

Natures Patterns, by Joyce R.

Becker

Right in Your Own Backyard: Nature Math (I Love Math), by

Time Life Book Series

Plant Math, by Patricia Whitehouse

Images and References

http://www.indoorooss.qld.edu.au/04studgl/fibonacci/webs/nature.html http://www.pvplc.org/photocontest/photo99/photos/twofriends.jpg http://raysweb.net/patterns/index.html http://www.tomtezak.com/ http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sirrobhitch.suffolk/patterns_nature/animals.htm http://www.greeneclipse.net/thewavfiles/animal_e.html http://www.blazingpaddles.on.ca/photography/tips/mud.htm http://illuminations.nctm.org/imath/across/connections/pattern/index.html http://www.intermath-uga.gatech.edu/topics/algebra/patterns/links.htm http://www.nctm.org http://www.mcescher.com http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1995/welch_patterns.html http://www.42explore.com/patterns.htm http://www.uen.org/themepark/html/patterns/naturepatterns.html