Mathematics in the Modern World

A Self-Instructional Package

Mathematics
in our world

Source: google.com

Lesson 1: Patterns and Numbers in

Nature
 Nature of Mathematics
 Patterns in Nature
 Numbers in Nature
Lesson 2: The Fibonacci Sequence
 Sequence
 Fibonacci Sequence
 Golden Ratio
Lesson 3: The Functionality of Mathematics
 Mathematics for Organization
 Mathematics for Prediction
 Mathematics for Control

MMW FACULTY
Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
University of Northern Philippines
Vigan City
 2

Mathematics in our World

Source: google.com
What this module is all about
In this module, you will learn a lot about mathematics as an essential tool in
understanding nature. This module will bring you on a journey that will let you
discover and appreciate the beauty of the things around you, and answer common
wonders in nature. You will also be exposed on the underlying principles that
govern the universe which will make you realize how important mathematics is in
our daily life activities.

This module will provide you with activities that will require you to look at
patterns and regularities in the world, and reflect on how mathematics comes into
play both in nature and in our daily life activities.

There are additional activities in the form of video clips for you to watch and
reflect on. Some activities will require you to measure and compute in which case
you need to have a tape measure or a ruler, and a calculator. Other activities will
require you to use your knowledge and skills in Excel for you to successfully carry
out the tasks.

Smile, relax and enjoy reading this module.

Source: google.com

What are contained in this module

The following topics are contained in this module:

Lesson 1: Patterns and Numbers in Nature

 Nature of Mathematics
 Patterns in Nature
 Numbers in Nature
Lesson 2: The Fibonacci Sequence
 Sequence
 Fibonacci Sequence
 Golden Ratio
Lesson 3: Functionality of Mathematics
 Mathematics for Organization
 Mathematics for Prediction
 Mathematics for Control
 3

What you are expected to learn

After a thorough understanding of all the topics and activities presented in

this module, you are expected to:

 Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world

 Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life
 Argue about the following:
 nature of mathematics,
 what mathematics is,
 how mathematics is expressed, represented, and used
 Express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor

How you are going to learn

This is the icon that you will find before the chunks of test in the
following pages. It tells you to study carefully the concepts, principles,
processes, etc. in the text. It tells, you too, that thereis a question to
answer or an idea to think about.

This icon signals a checkpoint. To every checkpoint, you will find a

question or questions to answer.

This icon introduces a list of important ideas to remember. Read it

carefully and store in your memory.

At the end of the lesson or module, you will find this icon. It signals a
self-test to determine how well you have achieved the objectives of the
module. Study the module carefuly and you will perform quite well in
the self-tests.

This icon tells you of a summative test to perform. The qualityof your
output from this assessment will show the extent to wchih you can apply
what you have learned from this module.
 4

Lesson 1: PATTERNS AND NUMBERS IN NATURE

In this lesson, I will present the nature of mathematics. I will
also reveal hidden beautiful patterns found in nature and introduce
the famous mathematical number sequence that is related to nature.
Source: google.com

Nature of Mathematics

What is mathematics?

The word mathematics comes from the Greek word “máthēma” (noun) which
means "learning”. Mathematics has no universally accepted definition (Tobies,
2012). According to Webster’s dictionary, “Mathematics is the science of number
and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations and abstractions
and of space configurations and generalizations.
Here are some definitions of mathematics from famous mathematicians:
 Mathematics is the science of quantity. – Aristotle
 Mathematics is the language in which god has written in the universe. -
Galileo
 The science of indirect measurement. - Auguste Comte
 Mathematics is the classification and study of all possible patterns. - Walter
Warwick Sawyer
 Mathematics is our one and only strategy for understanding the complexity of
nature. – Ralph Abraham
 Mathematics is a formal system of thought for recognizing, classifying, and
exploiting patterns and relationships. - Stewart

It can be seen that the definition of mathematics changes according to specific lights.
Thus, mathematics maybe defined as the study of patterns which may be numerical,
logical or geometric. Mathematics as the study of patterns will be the focus of the
lesson.

In your own
perspective, what is
mathematics?

Source: google.com
 5

PATTERNS IN NATURE

Mathematics shapes the world around us! One of the things about Mathematics
that we love the most is it’s uncanny ability to reveal hidden beautiful patterns in our
everyday life, the nature around us.

What number comes next in

0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ?
What is the pattern in getting the next number?

Yes you’re correct! The

next number after 25 is
30. The pattern in
getting the next number
is to add 5 to the
previous number.

A pattern is an organized arrangement of objects in space or time. It must have

something that is repeated either exactly or according to recognizable
transformations. It is the opposite of chaos.

Natural patterns include symmetry, stripe, spot, crack, spiral, tessellation, foam,
wave, dunes and fractal.
Symmetry is when a shape looks identical to its original shape after being
flipped or turned. The two main types of symmetry are reflective and rotational.
Reflective, or line, symmetry means that one half of an image is the mirror image of
the other half (think of a butterfly's wings). Rotational symmetry means that the
object or image can be turned around a center point and match itself some number of
times (as in a five-pointed star).
Crack are linear openings that form in materials to relieve stress. The pattern of
cracks indicates whether the material is elastic or not. Some examples are old pottery
surface, drying inelastic mud, and palm trunk with branching vertical cracks.
Tesselation or tiling forms a class of patterns found in nature. The arrays of
hexagonal cells in a honeycomb or the diamond-shaped scales that pattern snake skin
are natural examples of tessellation patterns.
Fractal pattern is when an object exhibits self-similar shape or form at any scale
and repeat itself overtime. Trees are natural fractals, patterns that repeat smaller and
smaller copies of themselves to create the biodiversity of a forest.
 6

Here are some examples of patterns in nature.

The tiger face shows a bilateral symmetry Phyllotaxis of spiral aloe

Honeycomb is a natural tessellation Stripes of a zebra

Branching pattern of a tree is a fractal Palm trunk with branching vertical cracks
 7

Foam of soap bubbles Spots of a Leopard

Breaking wave in a ship's wake Patterns form as wind blows sand in the
dunes
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterns_in_nature

Now look around you, what

objects do you see? Does it have
any pattern? Can you identify the
patterns?
 8

NUMBERS IN NATURE

The natural world is full of sets of numbers. The Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 1,
2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55 and so on), that is, it follows a trivial logic in which the sum
of the later two numbers gives rise to the next number in the sequence. It is a simple
pattern, but it appears to be a kind of built-in numbering system to the universe.
An interesting fact is that the number of petals on a flower always turns out to
be a fibonacci number.

Another example is if you look at the bottom of pine cone, and count
clockwise and anti-clockwise number of spirals, they turn out to be adjacent
fibonacci numbers.

https://medium.com/math-%CF%80rates/beauty-of-numbers-and-patterns-a-world-
shaped-by-math-71d240c4ee05
 9

The head of a flower is also subject to Fibonaccian processes. Typically,

seeds are produced at the center, and then migrate towards the outside to fill all the
space.

https://io9.gizmodo.com/15-uncanny-examples-of-the-golden-ratio-in-nature-
5985588
The unique properties of the Golden Rectangle provides another example.
This shape, a rectangle in which the ratio of the sides a/b is equal to the golden mean
(phi), can result in a nesting process that can be repeated into infinity — and which
takes on the form of a spiral. It's call the logarithmic spiral, and it abounds in nature.
Snail shells and nautilus shells follow the logarithmic spiral, as does the
cochlea of the inner ear. It can also be seen in the horns of certain goats, and the
shape of certain spider's webs.
 10

It’s great having learned the numbers

found in nature. Did you appreciate the
wonders of numbers in nature? I hope
so! You will have more of these in Lesson
2. Now , relax have some sort of
stretching before proceeding with the
self-test.

Self-Test 1

1. Watch the following video clips on the links provided and fill-up the Video
Response Sheet.
Video clip 1: Nature by Numbers by Cristobal Vila
https://youtu.be/kkGeOWYOFoA
Video Clip 2: Natures Mathematics Part 1 https://youtu.be/VE_RU0fNjt0
Video Clip 3: Natures mathematics Part 2 https://youtu.be/n2WHNMfRmHE

Video Response Sheet

(Write the resource title in the centre oval. Make notes as you watch and/or listen to
the program. “Links” is for text-to-text, text-to-self, or text-to-world connections.)

Source: Teaching Tip Tuesdays – http://chasemarch.com

 11

Activity 2. Explore your surroundings, then take a picture of at least 5 things that
you see which shows patterns and identify what are these patterns.

Congratulations for
finishing Lesson 1. Did
you enjoy viewing
patterns in nature? You
can now proceed to
Lesson 2.

Source: google.com
 12

Lesson 2: The Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Ratio

In this lesson, I will present a general view of mathematical
sequence, Fibonacci sequence and Golden Ratio. I will also explain
the existence of Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio in nature.
Source: google.com

Sequence

What is a Sequence?

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers; the numbers in this ordered list are
called the elements or the terms of the sequence. The arrangement of these terms is
set by a definite rule. If a1, a2, a3, a4,……… etc. denote the terms of a sequence, then
1,2,3,4,…..denotes the position of the term.

A sequence can be defined based upon the number of terms i.e. either finite
sequence or infinite sequence. If a1, a2, a3, a4, ……. is a sequence, then the
corresponding series is given by
SN = a1+a2+a3 + .. + aN
EXAMPLES

 {1,2,3,4,…} is a very simple (sequence (and it is an infinite sequence)

 {20,25,30,35,…} is also an infinite sequence.

 {1,3,5,7} is the sequence of the first 4 odd numbers (and is a finite sequence)

 {1,2,4,8,16,32,…} is an infinite sequence where every term doubles

 {a,b,c,d,e} is the sequence of the first 5 letters alphabetically.

The two simplest sequences to work with are arithmetic and geometric
sequences.

1. Arithmetic Sequence

An arithmetic sequence is a list of numbers with a definite pattern.

If you take any number in the sequence then subtract it by the previous one, and the
result is always the same or constant then it is an arithmetic sequence.
 13

The constant difference in all pairs of consecutive or successive numbers in

a sequence is called the common difference, denoted by the letter dd. We use the
common difference to go from one term to another. How? Take the current term and
add the common difference to get to the next term, and so on. That is how the terms
in the sequence are generated.

Illustrative Example 1

Find the next term in the sequence below.

2, 5, 8,11,14, ___

We can see that the common difference of the sequence is 3, therefore the
next term will be 14 + 3 = 17

The answer is 17.

Illustrative Example 2

Find the common difference and the next term of the following sequence:
3, 11, 19, 27, 35, ...

To find the common difference, I have to subtract a successive pair of terms.

It doesn't matter which pair I pick, as long as they're right next to each other. To be
thorough, I'll do all the subtractions:

11 – 3 = 8
19 – 11 = 8
27 – 19 = 8
35 – 27 = 8

The difference is always 8, so the common difference is d = 8.

Five terms are given, so the sixth term of the sequence is going to be the very
next term. I find the next term by adding the common difference to the fifth term:

35 + 8 = 43

Then the answer is:

common difference: d = 8

sixth term: 43
 14

2. Geometric Sequence

A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term

after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number
called the common ratio.
A geometric sequence goes from one term to the next by always
multiplying (or dividing) by the same value. So 1, 2, 4, 8, 16,... is geometric, because
each step multiplies by two;

The number multiplied (or divided) at each stage of a geometric

sequence is called the "common ratio" r, because if you divide (that is, if you find the
ratio of) successive terms, you'll always get this common value.

Illustrative Example 3

Find the common ratio and the seventh term of the following sequence:

To find the common ratio, Divide a successive pair of terms. It doesn't matter
which pair you pick, as long as they're right next to each other. To be thorough, I'll
do all the divisions:

The ratio is always 3, so r = 3.

Since the problem has given the five terms, so the sixth term is the very next
term; the seventh will be the term after that. To find the value of the seventh term,
multiply the fifth term by the common ratio twice:

a6 = (18)(3) = 54
 15

a7 = (54)(3) = 162

Then the answer is:

common ratio: r = 3

seventh term: 162

The Fibonacci Sequence

What’s the Real Story behind this famous sequence?

The exact origination of the Fibonacci sequence is unknown. It was believed

the contribution of the theory began in 200 BC by Indian mathematics whose studies
were based on Sanskrit prosody. Many sources claim it was first discovered or
"invented" by Leonardo Fibonacci. The Italian mathematician,
who was born around A.D. 1170, was originally known as
Leonardo of Pisa. In 1202 Leonardo of Pisa published the
massive tome "Liber Abaci". "Liber Abaci" laid out Hindu-
Arabic arithmetic useful for tracking profits, losses, remaining
loan balances and so on. In the "Liber Abaci," Fibonacci poses
this mathematical problem: if a pair of rabbits breeds once a
month, and each pair they produce can also breed new pairs at
one month old, how many pairs of rabbits will be bred in a
year, starting with the one pair? The answer is contained in a
sequence that begins 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and continues, working out
to 377 pairs by the end of the year. The principal of the
sequence is that it is built by adding two adjacent terms to get
the next term to add to the series. Indian scholars had already
studied the sequence in the century before Fibonacci published
A page of Fibonacci's Liber Abaci from
the Biblioteca Nazionale di Firenze showing the
the "Liber Abaci" and he didn't claim it as his own, but
Fibonacci sequence (in the box on the right)."

because he introduced it to the West, the sequence is

associated with him. It was French mathematician Edouard Lucas who named it the
Fibonacci sequence in the late 1800s.
 16

What is Fibonacci Sequence?

The Fibonacci sequence is a set of numbers that starts

with a one or a zero, followed by a one, and proceeds based
on the rule that each number (called a Fibonacci number) is
equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers. If the
Fibonacci sequence is denoted F (n), where n is the first
term in the sequence, the following equation obtains for n =
0, where the first two terms are defined as 0 and 1 by
convention:

F (0) = 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55 ...

In some texts, it is customary to use n = 1. In that case, the first two terms are
defined as 1 and 1 by default, and therefore:

F (1) = 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55 ...

The next number is found by adding up the two numbers before it:

 the 2 is found by adding the two numbers before it (1+1),

 the 3 is found by adding the two numbers before it (1+2),
 the 5 is (2+3),
 and so on!

Example: the next number in the sequence above is 34 +55 = 89

Remember. The Fibonacci

sequence is the series of numbers:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, ...

Source: google.com
 17

The Fibonacci Spiral

The Fibonacci spiral also known as golden spiral has an

association with the golden mean, and it is based on the Fibonacci
sequence. Fibonacci spiral is also reefed to as golden spiral. In
logarithm, it means a logarithmic spiral which gets wider by a
factor of ɸ after making a quarter turn. A Fibonacci spiral having
an initial radius of 1 has a polar equation similar to that of other
logarithmic spirals
Fibonacci spiral is based on Fibonacci numbers, which are
set of numbers arranged in integer sequences referred to as the Fibonacci sequence.
These numbers are characterized in such a way that each of the numbers after the
first two numbers represent the sum of two numbers before it.

The first two numbers in the sequence can either be 0 and 1 or 1 and 1. The
starting point notwithstanding, the subsequent number is always the sum of the two
numbers before it. The sequence of these numbers can be defined by what is termed
the Recurrence Relation.

Did You know that Fibonacci Sequence is Everywhere?

Fibonacci's sequence is all around us. In nature, the number of

petals on a flower is usually a Fibonacci number, the branches of the tress
follows the Fibonacci sequence, and the spiraling growth of a sea shell
progresses at the same rate as the Fibonacci sequence, in art, music and
architecture

Fibonacci in Flowers petals. Fibonacci in Tree Branches Fibonacci in Music

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrwJTRKxw9fLlIA https://botanicamathematica.files.wordpress.com/2014 https://fibonacci.com/wp-
content/uploads/2019/01/Piano-Keys-Fibonacci.png
KoxmIYpQ ;_ /04/fibonacci-tree.png
 18

The Golden Ratio

What’s the Golden Ratio?

Golden ratio, also known as the golden section, golden mean, or divine
proportion, in mathematics, the irrational number (1 + √5)/2, often denoted by the
Greek letter ϕ or τ, which is approximately equal to 1.61803 39887 49894 84820. In
the world of mathematics, the numeric value is called "phi", named for the Greek
sculptor Phidias.

It is the ratio of a line segment cut into two pieces of different lengths such
that the ratio of the whole segment to that of the longer segment is equal to the ratio
of the longer segment to the shorter segment. The origin of this number can be traced
back to Euclid, who mentions it as the “extreme and mean ratio” in the Elements.

The Equation form of the Golden Ratio is

where a is the longer segment and b is the shorter segment

W
What is the relationship of the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci
Sequence?

The relationship of the Fibonacci sequence to the Golden Ratio lies not in
the actual numbers of the sequence, but in the ratio of the consecutive numbers.
Since a Ratio is basically a fraction (or a division problem). The ratios of
these numbers by dividing the larger number by the smaller number that falls
consecutively in the series.
Considering the numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence, the ratio will look like
this
2/1 = 2.0
3/2 = 1.5
5/3 = 1.67
8/5 = 1.6
13/8 = 1.625
21/13 = 1.615
34/21 = 1.619
55/34 = 1.618
89/55 = 1.618
….
 19

Did You know that the Golden Ratio is Everywhere?

The famous Fibonacci sequence has captivated mathematicians, artists,

designers, and scientists for centuries. Also known as the Golden Ratio, its ubiquity
and astounding functionality in nature suggests its importance as a fundamental
characteristic of the Universe.

The number of petals in flowers, spiraling patterns of seeds like sunflower,

pinecones, tree branches, shells, the spiraling patter of galaxies, hurricanes, human
face and fingers, animal bodies, and even the DNA molecules are just few examples
that exhibits the golden ratio (Dvorsky, 2013).

1. Golden Ratio in Humans

The golden ratio is supposed to be at the heart of many of the

proportions in the human body. These include the shape of the perfect face and also
the ratio of the height of the navel to the height of the body. Indeed, it is claimed that
just about every proportion of the perfect human face has a link to the golden ratio.

The body has many possible ratios, lots of which lie somewhere
between 1 and 2. If you consider enough of them then you are bound to get numbers
close to the value of the golden ratio (around 1.618). Pictures below show some
examples of golden ratio in the human body.

Golden ratio in the Human finger Human Body Parts in the Human Body
https://www.goldennumber.net/wp- https://www.goldennumber.net/wp-
content/uploads/finger-golden-ratio.jpg content/uploads/finger-golden-ratio.jpg

2. Golden Ratio in Architecture and Engineering

Architects keep the golden ratio in mind when it comes time

to decide how a building’s floor plan will flow. It’s used when determining features
such as how to properly determine a buildings layout, space out windows, and
determine where a door should be placed in a room. While these proportions are
considered of secondary importance to the building’s structural integrity, adherence
to the ratio increases chances that people will find the building aesthetically pleasing.
 20

Taj Mahal
https://www.goldennumber.net/wp-
content/uploads/finger-golden-ratio.jpg

3. Golden Ratio in Arts and Design

The golden ratio has been used by artists to locate aesthetically pleasing
areas to place our subjects and distribute weight in our paintings. It appears to have
been used in this famous paintings by Michelangelo as well as the paintings of
Leonardo the Vinci.

Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, Leonardo the Vinci, ,Monalisa

1512

4. Golden Ratio in Nature

Nature is filled with patterns – spirals, in particular, are

especially noticeable in species of plants and animals.

Sunflowers seed are arranged in spiral pattern. Snail

shells, too, show growth rings that become gradually
larger as they spiral away from the shell’s center.
Evergreen cones, heads of broccoli and cauliflower, and
tree branches all display noticeable iterations of this
spiraling pattern.
 21

Scientists speculate that plants that grow in spiral formation do so in Fibonacci

numbers because this arrangement makes for the perfect spacing for growth.

In summary, Fibonacci numbers are present throughout the world in which

we live, and the patterns which can be formed from them both astonish and perplex
the mind. The Fibonacci numbers are beautiful to study in and of themselves, but
there is a higher beauty to them as well. These numbers highlight the incredible order
and mathematical complexity of the world we live in.

Now pause for a while, then

answer the second self-test

Self-Test 2

1. Determine w hat comes ne xt in the given patterns

a. 4, 9, 16, ___
b. 2, 5, 11, 23, ___
c. 1, 2, 5, 10,___
d. 27, 30, 15, 18, 9, 12, 6, _____
e. 2, 7, 14, 23, _ , 47

2. Find the common ratio of the following

a. 13, 26, 39,….
b. 14, 19, 24, 29,…
c. -4, -7, -10, -13
d. 1, ½, ¼, 1/8, …
e. 1, ¾, 9/16,…
 22

3. Are you a Golden Person?

Direction.: Look at the diagram and then using a tape measure, measure
carefully the 3 sets of pairs of your body measurements (in centimeters). Fill in
the table and use a calculator to work out the ratios/divisions.

Data Set 1 Data Set 2 Data Set 3

Family Neck Head Ratio Navel Head Ratio Navel Knee Ratio
Member to to (A1 to to (A2 ÷ to to (A3
B)
Navel Neck ÷B1) Feet Navel 2 Knee Feet ÷B3)
(A1) (B1) (A2) (B2) (A3) (B3)
A
B
C
D
E

What do you find? Are any of your family members ‘Golden People’?

Source: http://www.consef.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Are-you-a-golden-person-
STEMCON.pdf
 23

Lesson 3: FUNCTIONALITY OF MATHEMATICS

You have seen in the preceding lessons how evident
mathematics is in the natural world. The patterns that we observe in
nature follow logical and mathematical structures. This lesson
Source: google.com presents the link between mathematics and other fields focusing on
its varied applications as far as patterns on nature and in the world
are concerned.

Mathematics for Organization

What is the role of Mathematics in the development of the

society?

Mathematics has a vital and

unique role in the human societies and
represents a strategic key in the
development of the whole mankind.
The ability to compute, related to the
power of technology and to the ability
of social organization, and the
geometrical understanding of
spacetime, that is the physical world
and its natural patterns, show the role of
https://www.google.com/search?q=rawpixel/istock/thinkstock+digital+media&
hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiFjbHp5tDqAhUBa94
Mathematics in the development of a
KHU-NDegQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1366&bih=657#imgrc=-
w9D8Sv3xuRU7M
Society.

The society consists of its members (human being), who make government
and organize the natural resources to develop infrastructure. The human beings are
the one who develop the society. Therefore, we will discuss the role of mathematics
in the development of an individual as well as the development of the society.
A lot of events happen around us. For us to make sense of all available
information, we need mathematical tools to help us make sound analysis and better
decisions. Mathematics is well integrated into the technological, industrial, military,
economic, and political systems and that mathematics has been relying on these
systems for the material bases of its continuing progress.
Mathematics is the solution for all the problems concerning about the pattern,
regularities, and numbers. All patterns were organized since the beginning, and
regularities are involved when revealed in the world. Thus, all living things around
us had patterns and regularities.
 24

Mathematics for Prediction

How can we say that Mathematics can help predict the

behavior of nature and phenomena in the world?

Using mathematical tools we

create models which correspond to what
we can measure and observe in the
world of reality. Models that work
really well, that predict behaviors in the
counterpart to the model which have not
yet been observed, these are taken as
"laws of nature" Occasionally, the
mathematics of laws describing
phenomena not considered related
https://phys.org/news/2016-05-mathematics-weather.html reveal surprising unanticipated
relationships.

Mathematics provides the framework within which our observations of the

physical world can be encoded. It goes beyond being merely descriptive when it
exposes relationships that integrate disparate subjects.
Mathematics can be used to explain how something recurs in nature.
Mathematics is used to explain why the Sun set, where it went, & why it returned
because it was easier to count these events in numbers than to put them into words.
Similarly, formulas became a way of using numbers to show how things in nature
happen together or oppose one another.
Mathematics is helpful especially when seeking to explain the limitless
feeling one gets when contemplating the natural world that exists outside ourselves.
The logic of any idea that can be explained in words can be reinforced
mathematically to reach & persuade a larger audience about its concurrency with
natural phenomena, its economic applicability & it's business potential.

Predicting the size, location, and

timing of natural hazards is virtually
impossible, but because of the help of
Mathematics, we can forecast calamities
such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and
landslides, etc. Using mathematical
tools, we create models which
correspond to what we can measure and
observe in the world of reality.
https://prezi.com/p/om43ojaltn7x/mathematics-can-help-predict-the-behavior-of-nature-and-phenomena-in-the-
world/#:~:text=Predicting%20the%20size%2C%20location%2C%20and,%2C%20wildfires%2C%20and%20landslides%20etc.
 25

Weather forecasting is the

application of science and technology to
predict the conditions of the atmosphere
for a given location and time. Human
beings have attempted to predict the
weather informally for millennia and
formally since the 19th century.
Mathematicians play an
important role in this process, working
with a set of equations that describe the
https://www.dreamstime.com/weather-forecast-presentation-report- atmosphere, taking into the account
background-beautiful-clouds-aerial-view-aircraft-image147712082
temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Global Circulation Models (GCMs) describe the interactions between oceans
and atmosphere to look at what the average conditions could be in decades to come.

Mathematics for Control

How can mathematics help us control nature for our own

ends?

Mathematics can help us control

nature and occurences in the world for
our own good through mathematical
modelling. By mathematical modelling,
we see the inputs to the events and their
most likely outcomes. Mathematics
could not even predict these disasters,
let alone control then or reduce the
damage. Knowing these inputs and
seeing their consequences and
establishing their relationship defined
quantitatively, we can prepare for
http://inspiredworlds.com/butterfly-effect-decisions/ripple/
untoward consequences, or better yet,
maybe we can stop them from
happening.

Occasionally, the mathematics of laws describing phenomena not considered

related reveal surprising unanticipated relationship. Mathematics provide the
framework within which our observations of the physical world can be encoded. It
goes beyond being merely descriptive when it exposes relationship that integrate
 26

different subject. The body of knowledge and practice known as mathematics is

derived from the contributions of thinkers throughout the ages and across the globe.
Through the use of mathematics, man is also able to exert control over
himself and the effects of nature. The threat of climate change and global warming
has been the subject of much debate over the years. It is believed that unless man
changes his behavior, patterns are set to indicate that sea levels could rise to
catastrophic levels.

In summary, mathematics plays a huge role in the underpinnings of our

world. We have seen it in living creatures and natural phenomena. We have also
looked at examples of how mathematical concepts could be applied. Whether you are
on your way to becoming a doctor, an engineer, an entrepreneur, or a chef, a
knowledge of mathematics will be helpful. Logical reasoning and critical thinking
are crucial skills that are needed in any endeavor. As such, the study of mathematics
should be embraced as it paves the way for more educated decisions and in a way,
brings us closer to understand the natural world.

Mathematics helps organize patterns

and regularities in the world. Mathematics help
predict the behavior of nature and phenomena
in the world, as well as helps humans exert
control over occurrences in the world for the
advancement of our civilization.

Source: google.com

Now pause for a while, then answer the third self-test

Self-Test 3
The most important nature of mathematics is its relevance to a broad
spectrum of human concerns. Answer the following items.

1. Explain why mathematics is necessary in your chosen course. Give specific

instances (minimum of 150 words)

2. What role is played by mathematics in the following areas (Answer in not more
than 5 sentences)?
a. Music
b. Economics
c. Digital Media
d. Health
 27

SUMMARY

Let us have a recap of what you learned in this module.

 The definition of mathematics changes according to specific lights.

 A pattern is an organized arrangement of objects in space or time.
 Natural patterns include symmetry, stripe, spot, crack, spiral, tessellation,
foam, wave, dunes and fractal.
 Symmetry is when a shape looks identical to its original shape after being
flipped or turned.
 Crack are linear openings that form in materials to relieve stress.
 Tesselation or tiling forms a class of patterns found in nature.
 Fractal pattern is when an object exhibits self-similar shape or form at any
scale and repeat itself overtime
 The natural world is full of sets of numbers.
 A sequence is an ordered list of numbers; the numbers in this ordered list are
called the elements or the terms of the sequence.
 An arithmetic sequence is a list of numbers with a definite pattern. If you
take any number in the sequence then subtract it by the previous one, and the
result is always the same or constant then it is an arithmetic sequence.
 A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term after the
first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number
called the common ratio.
 The Fibonacci sequence is a set of numbers that starts with a one or a zero,
followed by a one, and proceeds based on the rule that each number (called a
Fibonacci number) is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers.
 Golden ratio (ϕ), also known as the golden section, golden mean, or divine
proportion, is the ratio of a line segment cut into two pieces of different
lengths such that the ratio of the whole segment to that of the longer segment
is equal to the ratio of the longer segment to the shorter segment.
 The Golden ratio is the ratios of two consecutive numbers of the Fibonacci
series.
 Mathematics has a vital and unique role in the human societies and represents
a strategic key in the development of the whole mankind.
 Mathematics can help predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in the
world.
 Mathematics help us control nature for our own ends.
 28

SUMMATIVE TEST 1

Multiple Choice. From the given choices below, encircle the letter of the correct
answer.
Which of the following is NOT an example of fractals?
the number of spirals on a pineapple
coastlines
ferns
coral
The length of a golden rectangle is approximately 8 cm. Which of the following
measures could be the width of the rectangle?
4 cm
10 cm
5 cm
16 cm
Fibonacci patterns are often seen in nature. This is based on the Fibonacci sequence,
which is a sequence of numbers in which _______________.
a number is the sum of the two numbers that come after it
a number is the sum of the two numbers that come before it
each number gets infinitely smaller
the numbers all add up to the same value
Tessellations are _____ and occur in turtle shells, honeycombs, fish scales, and
pineapples.
iterative, repeating patterns
cubed or tiled patterns
spirals that get smaller as they go
found on living organisms
Which of the following is NOT an example of Fibonacci numbers found in nature?
spirals on a sunflower
 29

pinecone spirals
the number of petals on a daisy
a mountain range
The Fibonacci sequence looks like this:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 13, ...
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ...
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ...
1, 2, 4, 6, 8, ...

Which of the following best describes the sequence: ,

Geometric
Arithmetic
Neither
The golden ratio is approximately:
1.618
0.618
3.14
1.543
Who was the first to write about The Golden Ratio on collection of 13 books "The
Elements"?
Euclid
Plato
Phidias
Fibonacci
What are fractals?
Patterns that are iterated on an infinitely smaller scale
Cubed or tiled patterns
Irregular stripes or spots
When ripples are broken or 'fractured'
Which of the following best describes the sequence: 18, 6, -6, -18, …
Geometric
 30

Arithmetic
Neither
The Fibonacci sequence begins with what two numbers?
1 and 1
0 and 1
1 and 2
2 and 3
For items 13 – 17, given the sequence of numbers, determine the number on the (?)
What is the next number: 21, 25, 33, 49, 81, (?).
145
132
113
101
5, 7, 12, 6, 8, 14, 7, (?), 16, 8, 10, 18.
8
9
10
12
91, 85, 94, 83, 97, 81, (?), 79.
98
105
100
120
1, 5, 9, (?), 25, 37, 49.
16
17
19
20
2, 3, 13, 4, 5, 41, 6, 7, (?), (?).
8, 85
85, 8
 31

9, 91
7, 49
True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct but if it’s false, change
the underlined word or group of words to make the whole statement true.
The application of science and technology to predict the conditions of the
atmosphere for a given location and time is called climate change.
Technology is the solution for all the problems concerning about the pattern,
regularities, and numbers.
Mathematics can help us control nature and occurrences in the world for our own
good through mathematical modelling.

References:

Knott, Ron. "Fibonacci Numbers in Nature." Ron Knott's Web Pages on

Mathematics. March 28, 2008. Retrieved from
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat.

Fibonacci Numbers in Nature." World Mysteries. (June 14, 2008) Retrieved from.
http://www.world-mysteries.com/sci_17.htm

https://fibonacci.com/music/

https://www.theclassroom.com/inventions-of-the-phoenicians-12082792.html

https://math.temple.edu/~reich/Fib/fibo.html
32