LESSON 1 PATTERN AND NUMBERS IN NATURE AND THE WORLD

In most instances, when one says Mathematics, it is oftentimes dubbed as the hardest
course one must take in school. In addition, many would say the course is very difficult because
of the tedious and lengthy solutions you have to perform in calculation. These sometimes cause
students to take the course lightly and even tend to drop the course at some point. Another
thing is that students when making decisions what to take in college, courses that offered many
Mathematical subjects are tend to become the less priority.

From the situation, what is in Mathematics that has to be afraid of by most if not all
students? Is it because it deals more on numbers? Or it is because the x’s and the y’s involves
in its principles? Regardless of the answer, people just don’t realize that the theoretical ideas of
the discipline are being practiced in the daily human activities in all walks of life. In education
sector, apart from being a course it is used also to assess the performance of the students
through the grade; in business the concept of money is being applied; in the medical
professions most use is on measurement like determining the amount of IV fluid to be injected
to the patient, the amount of radiation required to get the best possible image in x ray imaging
and the likes. Hence, the study of mathematics is a must since Mathematics is everywhere.

In connection, numbers is the main tool in the study of Mathematics. Aside from it and
technically speaking, Mathematics is the science that focused on shapes, arrangement and
patterns in the environment. It is a tool used to determine the different regularities in our
surroundings and eventually an aid in decision making.

In this particular course, we will view mathematics as way to appreciate the beauty of
our nature and an important tool in dealing life’s endeavors.

Intuitively, mathematics deals mostly with patterns. Sirug (2018) pointed out that
pattern in nature are visible regularities of forms found both in natural world and the universe.
This pattern that we see around us is recurring forms and follows set of rule that sometimes
can be expressed as mathematical models. Sirug pointed out to the man has developed a
formal; system of thoughts for recognizing, classifying and exploiting patterns which is the
discipline of Mathematics. Trying to look around us, many organized things that we can see can
be modelled mathematically. The arcs in bridges are the concept of parabola. Architectural
forms and designs apply the concept of symmetry, balance and precisions. The harmony of
notes in musical composition applies the concepts of mathematics but not limited to fractions.

Moreover, Sirug1 (2018, p. 2) explained the application of mathematics to organize and

systematize ideas about patterns, man have discovered a pattern in nature. The discoveries of
patterns in nature are not just for us to admire with because these patterns provide us some
vital life lessons that governs our natural processes. Intuitively, we can see different
mathematical stories in nature that will fascinate us. From the floras and faunas to the modern
day technologies that we have are all associated and modeled mathematically.

Nature’s secrets comprise much of our daily activities deduced from the clues of our
natural world. Seeing nature’s beauty is a fascinating thing but applying nature’s secret in our
daily activities is more fascinating experiences.

Patterns can be observed in many things around us. The stars during starry nights are
likes diamond scattered in the wilderness. The fierce wave on the oceans that continuously
flowing; the stunning beauty of the peacock feathers which are distinct from each individual
peacocks and the majestically engineered beehives are some of the things where we can see
patterns. Thus, appreciating the beauty of nature is very essential thing however applying the
mathematical concepts that underlie it are more fascinating and interesting one.
 Figure 1. Some examples of patterns in nature

The Snowflakes

Snowflakes are wonders of natural chaotic symmetry, their presence the result of a
harmonious symphony between various elementary principles. They are delicate in form,
exquisite to the eye, and mesmerizing to the mind.
(https://www.partow.net/miscellaneous/snowflakes.html)

Figure 2. Different forms of snowflakes

The snowflakes are a delicate wonder in nature formed by supercool and supersaturated
air. This object is usually seen during winter season. Its creation requires delicateness in such
way where when it gone wrong you produces things as hail, sleet or graupel.

The figure illustrates a form of symmetry which is called the radial symmetry or
rotational symmetry. This symmetry is illustrated by rotating the object at a certain angle to get
the exact figure as it was originally. Snowflakes are 6-fold symmetry where no two are exactly
the same.

Intuitively, the amount of rotation of the object is obtained by dividing 360° by the number of
folds of the objects.

Illustrative Example

The rotation is

360°
=60 °
6

To get an almost the same

appearance of the object
rotate it at 60°
 Another object in nature where rotational symmetry is applied is the star. Applying the given
360°
concept above and since star is a 5-fold symmetry so we have =72 °
5

Source: https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/Tmmxim_star-silhouette-png-black-white-stars-clipart-transparent/

Another form of symmetry is the bilateral or line symmetry. This type of symmetry is illustrated
by drawing an imaginary line along an object forming two equal figures. The first part is the
mirror of the other part. Below is the illustration of the Taj Majal and its reflection in the water

Source: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-unique-angle-photos-of-Taj-Mahal
Figure 3 The Shadow of the Taj Mahal in Water

The Honeycomb
 Figure 4. Other Illustrations of bilateral symmetry

The Honeycomb

Crowder (2014) describes honey comb as the cluster of repeating hexagonal beeswax
that fill the interior of a honey bee beehive. He further explains that honeybees are not unique
in their selection of the hexagon as a structural building shape. The hexagon has been utilized
throughout evolution due to its simplicity, strength, and durability. He pointed out also the
following natural objects that apply hexagonal shape like: water-transporting tissue of vascular
plants; the hexagon lattice structure is also incorporated into animal bone tissue provides
strength and gives bones a lightweight quality; and Paper wasps (Polistinae) construct their
nests from paper using a repeating hexagonal honeycomb pattern. Although these insects do
not produce honey, they do use hexagonal cells for developing brood just as the honey bee
does.

Another important concept explained to us by the hexagonal shape form of the honeycomb is
the packing procedure. Packing problems involves optimizing the filling of a given space such as
cubic or spherical containers. The bees’ hexagonal beehives instinctively explained to us the
best solution in constructions. Honeycomb is not only beautiful and elegant but optimally
functional.

The Tiger’s Stripe and Hyenas, Spots

Source: https://thatsmaths.com/2013/04/25/spots-and-stripes/
Figure 5. Hyenas’ Spot and Tiger’ Stripes

Other notable patterns in natures are animals’ stripes and spots. Zebra, tiger, snakes,
and cats are covered with patterns of stripes while leopards and hyenas are covered with
spots. Giraffes on the other hand are covered with blotches.

Tiger’s stripe as often distinctive reddish-orange fur and dark stripes while hyena,
another Africa’s wildlife predator, is covered with patterns of dark spots. These patterns
accordingly base from the studies of Alan Turing, logician, mathematician and computer
scientist, are chemical reaction and diffusion processes in the cells of the predators that
determine their growth patterns. Apparently, stripes among animals are either vertical or
 horizontal in nature. Another important mark is that no two animals have the same stripe of
spot patterns.

These stripes and spots among animals are used to camouflage themselves when they
are exposed to imminent danger or when they are hunting their preys.

Below are some animals with stripes, spots and blotches.

a. Zebra b. Okapi c. Stripe Marlin

Source: https://mom.com/momlife/19899-animals-stripes
Figure 6. Some animal with stripe

Some Other Patterns in Nature

Apart from the patterns that can be seen from the above discussion, it also be seen in
the different natural phenomena like the intricate waves of the oceans; sand dunes in the
desert; rock formations; stalagmites and stalactite formation in caves; the formation of the
typhoon and others. These natural patterns explain the movement of air, water and sand. For
instance the majestic of the stalagmites and stalactites in caves is a beautiful manifestation of
these patterns. Stalactites are the mineral deposit in the ceiling of caves while stalagmites are
the formation in the flooring. Traditionally, stalactites have pointed tips formed by the
precipitation of minerals from the dripping water at the ceiling of the caves. Meanwhile
stalagmites are the deposited mineral mound by the precipitating dripping water onto the floor
of the cave.
Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g11875780-d9869677-i408264206
Capisaan_Caves-Kasibu_Nueva_Vizcaya_Province_Cagayan_Valley_Region_Luz.html
Figure 7. Mineral deposits at Capisaan Cave, KAsibu, Nueva Vizcaya