Scribd
Upload
66 views3 pages

Lesson 2 Patterns and Regularities in The World

This document discusses different patterns found in nature, including symmetry, fractals, spirals, and tessellations. Symmetry is when objects have matching halves, like many living things. Fractals are never-ending patterns that repeat at different scales, seen in trees, clouds, and coastlines. Spirals are curved patterns focused around a central point, like pinecones and hurricanes. Tessellations tile flat shapes together without gaps, covering a surface. Nature displays intricate patterns at both macro and microscopic levels through these forms.

Uploaded by

Gene
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
66 views3 pages

Lesson 2 Patterns and Regularities in The World

This document discusses different patterns found in nature, including symmetry, fractals, spirals, and tessellations. Symmetry is when objects have matching halves, like many living things. Fractals are never-ending patterns that repeat at different scales, seen in trees, clouds, and coastlines. Spirals are curved patterns focused around a central point, like pinecones and hurricanes. Tessellations tile flat shapes together without gaps, covering a surface. Nature displays intricate patterns at both macro and microscopic levels through these forms.

Uploaded by

Gene
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

LESSON 2: PATTERNS AND REGULARITIES IN THE WORLD

“Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses – especially learn how
to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” ― Leonardo da Vinci

Intuitively, mathematical concepts and applications is everywhere. Mathematics is a


powerful tool that helps us discovered and organizes the different patterns that we see around
us. We have been talking a lot about the regularities of the things in our environment. From
the prettiness of flowers, the grandiose trees, even the different stunning rock formations to
the forceful impact of waves along the seashores that unveils the most common patterns in our
environment. Likewise, the microscopic structures of different things in our environment and
the universe itself displays pattern. Patterns in nature are classified as symmetry, fractals,
spirals, stripe and spot, foams, iterations and tessellations.

A. Symmetry

In the previous section of the module, we have discussed about symmetry. Symmetry is
said to be the harmonious and beautiful balance of things or objects. It is also the varied
transformation of objects where we can almost see the object in its original form be it in
rotation, reflection or scaling. Previously, we determined the most common types of
symmetry; the bilateral symmetry or the line symmetry, and the radial symmetry or
rotational symmetry.

Bilateral symmetry is the symmetry of objects or things where the left side of the
object is the same or mirror of the right side along the midline of the object. Usually, we
draw a vertical or horizontal line along the midline to form two equal figures. Symmetry
exists in most living and nonliving things in our environment like the plant itself and it leaves
and flowers, animals like tigers, ants, butterfly, dragonfly and the likes.

Figure 25 Some Living and Nonliving Showing Bilateral Symmetry

Another type of symmetry is radial or rotational symmetry. This type of symmetry is


around a fixed point called the center. Moreover, to get an approximately similar figure, the
objects are turn at a fixed angle. The angle is obtained by dividing 360 by the number of folds
of the object. Most objects under this kind are plants’ flower and some animal groups. Among
the radial symmetry animals are the echinoderms which includes sea urchins, jelly fish and
starfish. Flowers like trillium are considered in this kind.
B. Fractals

Fractals are the 'never-ending' patterns that repeat indefinitely as the pattern is iterated
on an infinitely smaller scale. We see this type of pattern in trees, rivers, mountains, shells,
clouds, leaves, lightning, and more. (Patterns in Nature: Definition & Examples, 2018)

Figure 27 Examples of Fractals

In addition, fractal is a detailed pattern that looks similar at any scale and repeats itself
over time. A fractal's pattern gets more complex as you observe it at larger scales. This
example of a fractal shows simple shapes multiplying over time, yet maintaining the same
pattern. Examples of fractals in nature are snowflakes, trees branching, lightning, and ferns.
(Math Patterns in Nature, 2020)

Figure 28 Natural Examples of Fractals

C. Spirals

Another form of patterns is the spiral. 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 like the leaf picture above is
because they are constantly trying to grow but stay secure. A spiral shape causes plants to
condense themselves and not take up as much space, causing it to be stronger and more
durable against the elements. (Math Patterns in Nature, 2020)
Logarithmic spiral or growth spiral is considered as self-similar spiral curve which
often appears in nature.

Figure 29 Spiraling Patterns in Nature

D. Tessellations

Tessellations is a pattern
composed of flat shape objects
repeated and joined together in
without any gaps or the tiles do
not overlap with each other.
This is the tiling of shapes in
short term. The word came from
the Greek word “tessares” which
means putting thing in a flat
surface without gaps or objects do not overlap with each other. The word was first used
during the 17th century.

You might also like