Mathematics

in the Modern World

The Elephant and the 6 Blind Men

What does the picture suggest about our

understanding of MATHEMATICS?
 Module 1
Mathematics in Our World
Nature of Mathematics
• mathematics is all about patterns, pursued at varying levels of
abstractions and the relationships that are exhibited in them
• it is a language which thrives in its unique yet universal symbolisms,
serving as the grammar of scientific ideas and the ultimate expression
of the grandeur of creation
• it is a powerful tool to understand and explain almost all phenomena
that occur in nature and in the world
• and many more...
Mathematics is all about patterns

Any person can recognize the beauty of nature’s mathematical

patterns without any mathematical training.

Recognize Deduce the

the clues underlying
of patterns rules and
in nature regularities
Section 1.1 Patterns and Numbers in Nature
• Patterns are the most fundamental feature of
mathematics
• The relationships they exhibit at varying levels of
abstractions propel the advancement of mathematics
3 types of Patterns
• Numeric
• Geometric
• Patterns of Change
Numeric Patterns dominate the affairs of man

• Example 1: Think of the practical value of the

sequence:
31, 28, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31
• Example 2: More than simply seeing a sequence of
even numbers, what real-life scenario can you
associate with this sequence: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,
16…?
 • Introduced by Leonardo
Pisano (A.K.A. Fibonacci)
• started with a newly-born
pair (male and female) of
rabbits which are able to
mate after one month.
• Then another month of
gestation will produce
exactly one pair (also male
and female) of rabbit and so
on…

Fibonacci sequence
Geometric
Patterns
 Shapes
• occur naturally like the vibrant designs of
flowers and leaves of certain plants and the
fascinating designs in the skin of
some animals.
• also man-made patterns such
as the symmetric designs of
bridge supports, wind mills,
house roofs and many others.
 In the Philippines…
One of the most prominent tourist attractions is the Mayon Volcano.
In some parts of the
country…
• artistry and abstraction is best exhibited in the
intricate designs found in the textile products
and architectural designs and ornamentations.
• These designs are themselves concrete
testaments not only of the rich cultural
heritage but also to the mathematical
ingenuity of Filipinos.
• these designs have established links with
mathematics, giving birth to what is known as
ethnomathematics.
Patterns of
Change
CHAOS
- Small changes in a system create a specific
- pattern in the long run

- Predictions and modelling are still possible in

- such cases as turbulence and chaos
Fractals
• Events and patterns tend to repeat in a systematic way
Exercises
1. Answer Exercise 1.1.
2. Provide real-life examples of
(i) numeric pattern
(ii) geometric pattern
Section 1.2 Modelling the Patterns in Nature
and in the World
•Golden
  Ratio:
(i) the width of the face forms a golden section of the length of the face;
(ii) the width of the nose is a golden section of the length of the mouth;
(iii) the little finger is a golden section of the middle finger;
(iv) the human lung is divided into sections based on the golden ratio;
(v) the eardrum consists of chambers that are located at approximately golden
ratio to optimize sound regulation and vibration;
(vi) the ratio of systolic and diastolic pressure in the blood pressure is ideally 1.6, a
close approximation of the golden ratio; and
(vii) the helix spirals of the DNA molecule is configured at 34 angstroms and 21
angstroms, two consecutive Fibonacci numbers whose ratio is close to Φ.
The 17 Equations (2013)
• The Pythagorean Theorem
• Laws of Logarithm
• The Calculus
• Law of Gravity
• Theory of Relativity
• Complex Numbers
• Gaussian Distribution
• etc….
Section 1.3 The Functionality of Mathematics
Mathematics is a rich body of knowledge, and with
its distinctive use of abstraction consequently
formulating advanced natural concepts, the areas in
which it can be applied have been expanding at an
unexpected pace.
Calculations: Mechanical Aspect of Math
• Calculations are procedural
• The units of measurement are employed to substances in physics as
frequently as in mathematics.
• The Charle’s law of expansion of gases is based upon mathematical
calculations.
• Graduation of the stem of thermometer and then the conversion of
scales is also a mathematical work.
In mathematical physics…
Some basic axioms about mass, momentum, energy, force,
temperature, heat etc. are abstracted, from observations and
physical experiments and then the techniques of abstraction,
generalization and logical deduction are used. It is the branch
of mathematical analysis that emphasizes tools and
techniques of particular use to physicists and engineers.
In Mechanics….
• a particle is a point-like, perfectly rigid, solid object. Particle
mechanics deals with the results of subjecting particles to forces. It
includes celestial mechanics — the study of the motion of celestial
objects.
• The role of Space Dynamics is very important in mechanics.
• Here we have to consider the trajectories which are time-optimal i.e.
which take the least time in going from one point to another and in
which the object starts and reaches the destination with zero velocity.
In civil and mechanical engineering….
• Useful models are established through numerical analysis
• In the 19th century, phenomena involving heat, electricity,
and magnetism were successfully modeled; and in the 20th
century, relativistic mechanics, quantum mechanics, and
other theoretical constructs were created to extend and
improve the applicability of earlier ideas.
In fluid mechanics…
• Mathematics is vital in Atmospheric Sciences, in dynamic
meteorology and weather prediction.
• Also used in the study of diffusion of pollutants in the
atmosphere (e.g., finding the proportion of pollutants
emitted from chimneys or refineries reach hospitals and
other buildings, or quantifying the effects of leakages of
poisonous gases)
In Pharmaceutical industry….
• mathematicians work on clinical data about the effectiveness or
dangers of new drugs.
• Mathematicians play key roles in pure scientific research in chemistry
and biology, particularly those with higher degrees in computer
science, to help develop models of complicated processes
• Mathematical laws govern almost all chemical combinations and their
equations.
The emerging field of biomathematics…
 a rich fertile field with open, challenging and fascination problems in
the areas of mathematical genetics, mathematical ecology,
mathematical neuron- physiology, development of computer
software for special biological and medical problems, mathematical
theory of epidemics, use of mathematical programming and
reliability theory in biosciences and mathematical problems in
biomechanics, bioengineering and bioelectronics.
In population dynamics…
 Differential equations and difference equations are utilized
in the formulation of deterministic and stochastic models
for growth of population of micro-organisms and animals,
subject to given laws of birth, death, immigration and
emigration.
In Internal Physiological Fluid Dynamics…
Mathematics has a significant role in the study of flows of
blood and other fluids in the complicated network of
cardiovascular and other systems, and in the flow of oxygen
through lung airways and arteries to individual cells of the
human or animal body and the flow of synovial fluid in human
joints.
In Mathematical Ecology…
• we study the prey predator models and models where
species in geographical space are considered.
• Epidemic models for controlling epidemics in plants and
animals are considered and the various mathematical
models pest control is critically examined.
In Mathematical Genetics…
• we study the inheritance of genetic characteristics from generation to
generation and the method for genetically improving plant and animal
species. Decoding of the genetic code and research in genetic
engineering involve considerable mathematical modeling.
In drug kinetics…
• Mathematical modeling is used to simulate the spread of drugs in the
various compartments of the human body.
• In mathematical models for cancer and other diseases, mathematical
models for the study of the comparative effects of various treatments
are developed.
• Mathematics is vital in solid biomechanics which deals with the stress
and strain in muscles and bones, with fractures and injuries in skulls
etc. and is very complex because of non symmetrical shapes and the
composite structures of these substances.
In Pollution Control Models…
• we study how to obtain maximum reduction in pollution levels in air,
water or noise with a given expenditure or how to obtain a given
reduction in pollution with minimum cost.
• Interesting non- conventional mathematical programming problems
arise here.
In agriculture…
• as a science is going to depend extensively on mathematics.
• It needs a direct application of mathematics, such as, measurement of
land or area, average investment and expenditure, average return or
income, production per unit area, cost of labour, time and work, seed
rate etc.
• Progress of the farm can be judged by drawing graphs of different
items of production.
Homework
 Read Chapter 1 (Mathematics in the Modern World by Adina and Earnhart)
 For Day 2 or Day 3, Week 1: Answer Assignment in pp. 11-12.
 Writing Assignment for Chapter 1: Write a Synthesis Paper about Chapter 1
of the book with emphasis on localized settings of applications of
mathematics (e.g., Mathematical perspectives of Chocolate Hills formation
in Bohol, of the weaving designs of Ilocanos, of dance steps in Cordillera, of
the railways of the MRT, of the earthquake occurrences in Batangas for the
past 25 years, etc)