SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY

Malita, Davao Occidental

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
GEM 111 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Mathematics in the Modern World

Patterns and Numbers in Nature

B. About this Module:

Mathematics is exhibited not only in the technologies that have dominantly influenced man’s daily pursuits.
It is practically everywhere and progresses to varying degrees of usefulness. Mathematics is practiced not only by
professionals like teachers, scientists, engineers, and economists. Time has shown that one’s understanding of the
universe is rightfully credited for this. As a science of logical thinking, mathematics is vital in understanding natural
phenomena, human activities, and social systems.
This module on Patterns and Numbers in Nature, designed for freshmen, is comprised of series of reviews,
varied activities, tests and assessments which will guide the students in developing a clear and relevant knowledge
about its concepts. Starting at understanding the nature of mathematics, discussing how mathematics is exhibited in
nature and applying the principles of mathematics to resolve issues that pertain to human activities, natural
occurrences, and social systems.
C. Overview
Quite often, people confine mathematics to numbers and arithmetic. Such partial and superficial
understanding of the nature of this body of knowledge has restrained liberal culture of learning in our educational
system. In a way, a bigger emphasis on numeric aptitude has brought about unfavorable attitude towards the subject
among students.
In this unit, students are expected to learn about Patterns and numbers in Nature and the World: Number
Patter, shape patter, logic pattern, Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio, Mathematical language and symbols and
mathematical reasoning and problem solving.
D. Instruction
Every lesson on this module is composed of review as to check whether you are geared with the pre-requisite
skills before proceeding further into the module. Afterwards, series of activities and varied instructional style will
help and guide to reach the long term goals targeted at each lesson. It is important that you, the learner, will be able
to create meanings on your own unique ways on what each lesson has taught you. Your learning must be integrated
to the real-life world and that will be tested through assessments and tests as evidence.
 SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Malita, Davao Occidental
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
GEM 111 – Mathematics in the Modern World

Module 1.1 Patterns and Numbers in Nature

E. Pre – Evaluation (Pre-test)
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write AGREE. Otherwise, write DISAGREE.

_________ 1. Mathematics is exhibited only through numbers.

_________ 2. Mathematics can progress even without numbers.
_________ 3. Every phenomenon, whether scientific or social, can be explained by mathematics.
_________ 4. Patterns that occur in nature are only for arts appreciation and not for mathematical explorations.
_________ 5. Mathematics is not meant to be learned by everyone.

F. Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. explain the nature of mathematics;
2. Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world.
3. discuss how mathematics is exhibited; and
4. apply the principles of mathematics to resolve issues that pertain to human activities, natural occurrences,
and social systems.

G. Learning Content

TOPIC 1: Nature of Mathematics

WHAT IS MATHEMATICS?
● Mathematics is the study of pattern and structure. Mathematics is fundamental to the physical
and biological sciences, engineering and information technology, to economics and
increasingly to the social sciences.

● Mathematics is a useful way to think about nature and our world.

● Mathematics is a tool to quantify, organize and control our world, predict phenomena and make life easier
for us.

WHERE IS MATHEMATICS?
● Many patterns and occurrences exists in nature, in our world, in our life. Mathematics helps make sense of
these patterns and occurrences.

WHAT ROLE DOES MATHEMATICS PLAY IN OUR WORLD?

● Mathematics helps organize patterns and regularities in our world.
● Mathematics helps predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in the world.
● Mathematics helps control nature and occurrences in the world for our own ends.
● Mathematics has numerous applications in the world making it indispensable.
 SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Malita, Davao Occidental
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
GEM 111 – Mathematics in the Modern World

TOPIC 2: PATTERNS AND NUMBERS IN NATURE AND THE WORLD

Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in the natural world and can also be seen in the
universe. Nature patterns which are not just to be admired, they are vital clues to the rules that govern natural
processes.
Check out examples of some of these patterns and you may be able to spot a few the next time you go for a
walk.
1. Patterns can be observed even in stars which move in circles across the sky each day.
2. The weather season cycle each year. All snowflakes contains sixfold
symmetry which no two are exactly the same.

3. Patterns can be seen in fish patterns like spotted trunkfish, spotted puffer, blue spotted stingray, spotted
moral eel, coral grouper, redlion fish, yellow boxfish and angel fish. These animals and fish stripes and spots
attest to mathematical regularities in biological growth and form.

4. Zebras, tigers, cats and snakes are covered in patterns of stripes; leopards and hyenas ar covered
in pattern of spots and giraffes are covered in pattern of blotches.
 SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Malita, Davao Occidental
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
GEM 111 – Mathematics in the Modern World

5. Natural patterns like the intricate waves across the oceans; sand dunes on deserts; formation of typhoon;
water drop with ripple and others. These serves as clues to the rules that govern the flow of water, sand and
air.

6. Other patterns in nature can also be seen in the ball of mackerel, the v-formation of geese in the sky and
the tornado formation of starlings.

PATTERNS AND REGULARITIES

Mathematics is all around us. As we discover more about our environment, we can
mathematically describe nature. The beauty of a flower, the majestic tree, even the rock formation
exhibits nature’s sense of symmetry.

Have you ever thought about how nature likes to arrange itself in patterns in order to act
efficiently? Nothing in nature happens without a reason, all of these patterns have an important reason
to exist and they also happen to be beautiful to watch.

TYPES OF PATTERNS
1. SYMMETRY – a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion of balance or an object is in
variant to any various transformations (reflection, rotation or scaling.)
a.) Bilateral Symmetry: a symmetry in which the left and right sides of the organism can be
divided into approximately mirror image of each other along the midline. Symmetry exists in
living things such as in insects, animals, plants, flowers and others. Animals have mainly bilateral
or vertical symmetry, even leaves of plants and some flowers such as orchids.
 SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Malita, Davao Occidental
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
GEM 111 – Mathematics in the Modern World

b.) Radial Symmetry ( or rotational symmetry ): a symmetry around a fixed point known as the
center and it can be classified as either cyclic or dihedral. Plants often have radial or rotational
symmetry, as to flowers and some group of animals. A five-fold symmetry is found in the
echinoderms, the group in which includes starfish (dihedral-D5 symmetry), sea urchins and sea
lilies. Radial symmetry suits organism like sea anemones whose adults do not move and
jellyfish(dihedral-D4 symmetry). Radial symmetry is also evident in different kinds of flowers.

2. FRACTALS – a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the
whole. A fractal is a never-ending pattern found in nature. The exact same shape is replicated in a process
called “self-similarity.” The pattern repeats itself over and over again at different scales. For example, a
tree grows by repetitive branching. This same kind of branching can be seen in lightning bolts and the
veins in your body. Examine a single fern or an aerial view of an entire river system and you’ll see fractal
patterns.

3. SPIRALS - A logarithmic spiral or growth spiral is a self-similar spiral curve which often appears in
nature. It was first describe by Rene Descartes and was later investigated by Jacob Bernoulli. A
spiral is a curved pattern that focuses on a center point and a series of circular shapes that revolve
around it. Examples of spirals are pine cones, pineapples, hurricanes. The reason for why plants use
a spiral form is because they are constantly trying to grow but stay secure.