Nature of Mathematics

Module 1- MMW
 Learning Objectives:
1. Determine various patterns in nature.

2. Relate patterns using the Golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence.

3. Review other common number patterns.

 PATTERNS
• are regular, repeated or recurring forms or designs.
Examples:
Starfish Layout of floor tiles
Sunflower Designs of buildings
In studying patterns, it helps us identify relationships and
find local connections to form generalizations and make
predictions.
 SYMMETRY
• Symmetry indicates that you can draw an imaginary line across an object and
the resulting parts are mirror images of each other.
• Example:
• Butterfly
• Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian man
• Starfish
 The butterfly is symmetric about the axis
indicated by the black line.
Note:
• That the left and the right portions are exactly the same.
• This type of symmetry is called bilateral symmetry.
 SYMMETRY
• Leonardo d Vinci’s Vitruvian Man shows the proportion and symmetry of
the human body.
There are other types of symmetry depending on the
number of sides or faces that are symmetrical
 SYMMETRY
• If you rotate the starfish in 72 degree , you can still achieve the same
appearance as the original position. This is known as the rotational
symmetry.
• The smallest measure of angle that a figure can be rotated while still
preserving the original position is called the angle of rotation.
 ORDER OF ROTATION
A figure has a rotational symmetry of order n ( n- fold rotational symmetry) if
1/n of a complete turn leaves the figure unchanged. To compute for the angle
of rotation, we use the formula

Angle of rotation = 360 ̊/n

 ORDER OF ROTATION
Example:

• As seen in the figure, the pattern on the snowflake repeat six times, indicating that
there is a 6 fold symmetry. Using the formula, the angle of rotation is 60 ̊.̊
 HONEYCOMB
• Do you wonder why bees used hexagon in making honeycomb and not any
other polygons?
• The reason is that more area will be covered using hexagon compared to
other polygons.
• According to Allan Turing, a British mathematician, the formation of hyena’s spot
and tiger stripes is governed by a system of “reaction- diffusion equations”.
 PATTERNS
• 1. Which of the figures can be used to continue the series given below?

ANSWER: D
In the given series, a figure is followed by the combination of itself and its vertical inversion.
 PATTERNS
• 2. Which of the figures, you think best fits the series below?

ANSWER: A
The base figure rotates at an angle 90 degree in the clockwise direction.
 PATTERNS
• 3. Which of the figures can be used to continue the series given below?

ANSWER: C
The base figure rotates at an angle of 45 degree in a counterclockwise direction.
GOLDEN RATIO
GOLDEN RATIO
Geometrically, it can also be visualized as a
rectangle perfectly formed by a square and
another rectangle, which can be repeated
infinitely inside each section.
 MATHEMATICS
& Physical Beauty
the proportions of the length of the
nose, the position of the eyes and
the length of the chin all conform to
some aspect of the Golden Ratio.
 Amber Heard's face was
found to be 91.85
%accurate to the Greek
Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi -
which for thousands of
years was thought to hold
the
secret formula of perfection.
PARTHENON
Notre Dame Cathedral
Last Supper
Mona Lisa
 Shapes and figures that bear the
Golden Ratio are generally considered
as

aesthetically pleasing.
 The Golden Ratio
Measure the length and width of your face. Divide the
length by the width. This should give approximately
1.6, which means a beautiful person’s face is about
11/2 times longer than it is wide.
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
•
Other Common Patterns/Sequences
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
• Examples of Arithmetic Sequence
Identify the missing term.
1. 35, 32, 29, 26,____ Fifth term- ANSWER: 23 (Common difference is -3)
what is the 10th term?
a 10 = 35 - 3 (10-1)
= 35 - 3(9)
= 35 – 27
=8
2. -3, -23, -43, ____, -83 Fourth term- ANSWER: -63 (Common difference is -
20)
what is the 7th term?
X7 = -3 + (-20) (7-1)
= -3 + (-20) (6)
= -3 + (-120)
= -123
• Examples of Arithmetic Sequence
Find the first five terms.
1. a1 = - 26, d = 200
a2 = -26 + (200) (1) a3 = -26 + (200) (2) a4 = -26 + 200 (3) a5 = -26 +
200 (4)
= -26 + 200 = -26 + 400 = -26 + 600 = -26 + 800
= 174 = 374 = 574
= 774
2. a37 = 249, d = 8
249 = a1 + 8 (36)
a1 = 249 – 288 a2 = -39 + (8) a3 = -39 + (8)(2) a4 = -39 + (8)(3) a5 = -39 +
(8)(4)
= -39 = -31 = -39 + 16 = -39 + 24
= -39 + 32
= -23
= -15 = -7
Source: www.mathsisfun.com
• Examples of Geometric Sequence
Identify the missing term.
1. 3, 9, 27, 81, ____ Fifth term- ANSWER: 243 (Common ratio is 3)
what is the 8th term?
X8 = 3 (3)8-1
= 3 (3)7
= 3 (2,187)
= 6,561
2. Find the first five terms where a4 = 25, r = 5
25 = a1 (5)4-1
25 = 125 a1
a1 = 25 = 1 a2 = 1/5 (5) a3 = 1/5 (5)2 a5 =
1/5 (5) 4

125 5 =1 =5
= 125
 REFERENCES
1. Mathematics in the Modern World, Carino et. al. (2018)
2. Problem Solving – The Heart and Soul of Mathematics, Petero N. (TCA-Institute of Education)
3. Mathematics in the Modern World, Baltazar, et al. (2018)
4. https://www.iqtestexperts.com/pattern-recognition-sample.php
5. https://www.iqtestexperts.com/maths-sample.php
6. https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/article/how-the-tiger-got-its-stripes/
7. https://www.mathsisfun.com/

Prepared by: Mrs. Arlin D. Pangilinan

Mrs. Marianne M. Flores
Ms. Thelma P. Yalung
(CAS Math Faculty)