Chapter 1:

The Nature of
Mathematics
Bart L. Acero Jr.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

 01
01
Patterns and Numbers
in Nature and The
World

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Common Patterns in Nature
● Waves and Dunes
● Spots and Stripes
● Spirals
● Symmetries

● Reflection
● Rotations
● Translations

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Waves and Dunes
A wave is any form of disturbance that carries
energy as it moves. Waves are of different
kinds: mechanical waves which propagate
through a medium ---- air or water, making it
oscillate as waves pass by. Wind waves, on the
other hand, are surface waves that create the
chaotic patterns of the sea. Similarly, water
waves are created by energy passing through
water causing it to move in a circular motion.
Likewise, ripple patterns and dunes are
formed by sand wind as they pass over the
sand.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Spots and Stripes
We can see patterns like spots on the skin of a
giraffe. On the other hand, stripes are visible on
the skin of a zebra. Patterns like spots and
stripes that are commonly present in different
organisms are results of a reaction diffusion
system (Turing, 1952). The size and the shape
of the pattern depend on how fast the
chemicals diffuse and how strongly they
interact.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Spirals
The spiral patterns exist on the scale of the
cosmos to the minuscule forms of microscopic
animals on earth. The Milky Way that contains
our Solar System is a barred spiral galaxy with
a band of bright stars emerging from the center
running across the middle of it. Spiral patterns
are also common and noticeable among plants
and some animals. Spirals appear in many
plants such as pinecones, pineapples, and
sunflowers. On the other hand, animals like
ram and kudu also have spiral patterns on their
horns.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Symmetry
In mathematics, if a figure can be folded or
divided into two with two halves which are
the same, such figure is called a symmetric
figure. Symmetry has a vital role in pattern
formation. It is used to classify and organize
information about patterns by classifying the
motion or deformation of both pattern
structures and processes. There are many kinds
of symmetry, and the most important ones are
reflections, rotations, and translations. These
kinds of symmetries are less formally called
flips, turns, and slides.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Reflection Symmetry
Sometimes called line symmetry or mirror or
bilateral symmetry, captures symmetries
when the left half of a pattern is the same as the
righthalf.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Rotational Symmetry
● Captures symmetries when it still looks the
same after some rotation (of less than one
full turn). The degree/order of rotational
symmetry of an object is recognized by
the number of distinct orientations in
which it looks the same for each rotation.
● Angle of Rotation - smallest measure of
angle that a figure can be rotated while still
preserving its original position

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Angle of Rotation
● A figure has a rotational symmetry of order n if of a
complete turn leaves the figure unchanged.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

 Angle of Rotation
● Order of Rotation (n) : 6
number of ways to be rotated

0
360 𝟎
¿ = 𝟔𝟎
6

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

 Angle of Rotation
● Order of Rotation (n) : 4
number of ways to be rotated

0
360 𝟎
¿ = 𝟗𝟎
4

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Translations
● Translational symmetry exists in patterns
that we see in nature and in man-made
objects. Translations acquire symmetries
when units are repeated and turn out
having identical figures, like the bees’
honeycomb with hexagonal tiles.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Packing Problem
● Finding the optimum method of filling up a given space
such as a cubic or spherical container
● Proof: Suppose you have circles of radius 1 cm, each of
which will then have . We are then going to fill a plane
with these circles using square and hexagonal packing.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Packing Problem (Square Packing)

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Packing Problem (Hex Packing)

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Packing Problem (Hex Packing)

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Packing Problem (Square vs Hex Packing)

78.58% < 90.69%

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Sunflower
One of the most
interesting things
about a sunflower is
that it contains both
radial and bilateral
symmetry. It also
contains spirals.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Population Growth
Math can be used to model population growth with the
formula:

where
A = size of the population
P = initial number of people
r = rate of growth
e = Euler’s constant (appox. 2.718)
t = time

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Population Growth (Example)
The exponential growth model below describes the population
t years after 2023, we consider 2023 as t=0

a) What is the current population in Los Banos this year 2023?

b) What will be the predicted population of Los Banos in 2030?

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Population Growth (Example)
What is the current population in Los Banos this year 2023?

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Population Growth (Example)
What will be the predicted population of Los Banos in 2030?
We need to find t by subtracting 2030 to 2023 to get t=7.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Sequence
● A sequence is an ordered list of numbers, called terms, that
may have repeated values. The arrangement of these terms
is set by a definite rule.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Sequence (Example)
Identify the rule and the next term for the following sequences:

a) 3, 9, 15, 21, 27, ?

b) 2, 5, 9, 14, 20, ?
c) 16, 32, 64, 128, ?
d) 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ?

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Leonardo Pisano Bigollo
● Nicknamed Fibonacci
● Fibonacci is one of the greatest European
mathematician of the middle ages.
● Born in 1170, died in 1250
● Introduced the Arabic number system in
Europe
● Introduced the Fibonacci Sequence by
observing pair(s) of rabbits

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Fibonacci Sequence

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Fibonacci Sequence
● The sequence is organized in a way a number can be obtained by adding the two previous
numbers.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Fibonacci Sequence
● Geometrically, it can
be visualized as a
rectangle perfectly
formed by a square
and another
rectangle, which can
be repeated
infinitely inside
each section.

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Fibonacci Sequence and Golden
Ratio
The ratio of successive
Fibonacci numbers approach 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 34, 55, …
the number Phi(), also known
1/1 = 1
as the Golden Ratio
2/1 = 2
(1.618033988…).
3/2 = 1.5
5/3 = 1.667
8/5 = 1.6
13/8 = 1.625
21/13 = 1.615
34/21 = 1.619
55/34 = 1.618

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Fibonacci in Nature

Sunflower Snail Shell

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Fibonacci in Photography

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Performance Task
● Links will be posted Friday before EOD or earlier
● Deadline is Sunday EOD sharp!
● You can work with your classmates but DO NOT COPY
● Make explanations CLEARER as I am not after your answer
● Answer only ONCE

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Next up!
● Mathematical Language and Symbols

GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World