MATHEMATICS IN THE

MODERN WORLD
Mathematics seeks to discover and reason
all kinds of abstract patterns visible in
nature. Natural patterns can
include symmetries, fractals, spirals,
tessellations and waves to name a few.
Symmetry is extensively prevalent in
nature.
Patterns and Numbers in Nature

At a glance, nature may seem to be very

random, with leaves, flowers sprouting
from just about anywhere on the trees. But
on close observation, one can find patterns
emerging right from the subatomic level to
the level of massive galaxies.
Nature is a beautiful creation. It’s a
feast to the eyes. Beauty in its
essence emerges from the patterns
that are widely embedded
everywhere in nature. Nature
arranges itself in mesmerizing ways.
A very common example is the number of
petals in flowers. Most flowers have 5 petals.
If not 5, they can be 8, 13 or 21. These
numbers are not random, they actually make
a pattern, the Fibonacci Sequence. This
pattern is the most visible in nature.
Mathematics seeks to discover and reason all
kinds of abstract patterns visible in nature.
Natural patterns can include symmetries, fractals,
spirals, tessellations and waves to name a few.
Symmetry is extensively prevalent in nature. Many
flowers, leaves, and animals like starfish and sea
anemones have radial symmetry. Animals that move in
particular directions generally have mirror or bilateral
symmetry. Another very beautiful natural creation, the
snowflake, surprises us with extremely complex yet
very closely symmetric and unique patterns.
Snowflakes generally have six-fold symmetry.
EXAMPLE

Butterflies and moths have exquisite, detailed patterns

on their wings. Their wings are accurately identical.
Spirals are very common in seed arrangements in flowers, leaves on
stems, and animals like molluscs (their shells). Plant spirals can be seen
in sunflowers, phyllotaxis. Some plants like pine cones can even have
multiple spirals going both clockwise and anticlockwise. These can be
mathematically generated using Fibonacci numbers (where the
subsequent number is the sum of the last two numbers). A very
common example is the number of flower petals. Many flowers have
just 3 petals. If not 3, they favor numbers like 5,8,13, and 21. These
numbers are actually in the Fibonacci sequence. We can easily find
Fibonacci numbers in the spiral formed by individual flowers in their
seed arrangements like sunflowers, daisies, cauliflowers and broccoli.
Tessellations are patterns made by repeatedly
tiling the same or similar shapes. Examples of
tessellations are honeycombs (several hexagonal
compartments arranged in striking symmetry),
wasp nests and animal skins like that of snakes,
pangolin. Many minerals found naturally deep
down the surface of the earth show intricate
crystal patterns of repeated geometry.
Fibonacci numbers
It is named after the Italian Mathematician
Leonardo of Pisa, whose nickname was Fibonacci.
Let’s look into the pattern of Fibonacci Sequence
below.
ASSIGNMENT
• Find the 13th to 17th term of the Fibonacci Sequence.
•
• 13th term: ____________
• 14th term: ____________
• 15th term: ____________
• 16th term: ____________
• 17th term: ____________