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UNIT I : NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

LESSON:1 PATTERNS IN NATURE

In the general sense of the word , patterns are regular , repeated , or recurring forms or
designs. We see patterns everyday – from the layout of floor tiles , design of skyscrapers ,
to the way we tie our shoelaces . Studying patterns help students in identifying relationships
and finding logical connections to form generalizations and make predictions.

Examples:
Snowflakes and Honeycombs

Recall that symmetry indicates that you can draw an imaginary line across an object and
resulting parts are mirror images of each other.
The figure above is symmetric about the axis indicated by dotted line . Note that the left and
right portions are exactly the same . This type of symmetry , known as line or bilateral
symmetry , is evident in most animals , including humans . Look in a mirror and see how the left
and rights of your face closely match.

The Sunflower
 Looking at a sunflower up close , you will notice that there is a definite pattern of clockwise and
counterclockwise arcs or spirals extending outward from the center of the flower . This is
another demonstration of how nature works to optimize the available space. This arrangement
allows the sunflower seeds to occupy the flower head in a way that maximizes their access to
light and necessary nutrients.

The Snail’s Shell

We are also very familiar with spiral patterns. The most common spiral patterns can be seen in
whirlpools and in the shells of snails and other similar mollusks. Snails are born with their
shells , called protoconch , which start out as fragile and colorless. Eventually , these original
shell harden as the snails consume calcium. As the snails grow , their shells expand
proportionally so that they can continue to live inside their shells. This process results in a
refined spiral structure that is even visible when the shell is sliced . this figure, called an
equiangular spiral , follows the rule that as the distance from the spiral center increases ( radius
) , the amplitudes of the angles formed by the radii to the point and tangent to the point remain
constant. This another example of how nature seems to follow a certain set of rules govern by
mathematics.
Flower Petals

Flowers are easily considered as things of beauty. Their vibrant colors and fragrant odors make
them very appealing as gifts or decorations. If you look more closely , you will note that
different flowers have different number of petals .Take the iris and trillium , for example . Both
flowers have only 3 petals.

EXERCISE SET
1. Determine what comes next in the given patter.
A , C , E , G , I , _____

2. What completes the following pattern ?

CSD , ETF , GUH , ______, KWL

3. What letter comes next in this pattern ?

OTTFFSSE...

4. 27 30 33 36 39 _______

5. 41 39 37 35 33 _____

LESSON II : PATTERNS AND NUMBERS

Introduction

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers , called terms , that may have repeated values.
The arrangement of these term is set by a definite terms. A sequence may be finite or infinite.
The Fibonacci sequence is an infinite sequence. A finite sequence has a definite number of
terms . Number patterns may be described by examining how the terms are being generated.

Activity ( Collaboration )

Describe the pattern of each sequence.

1. 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, . . .

2. 5 , 10, 20, 40, 80, . . .

3. 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, . . .

 A pattern may have a list of numbers in which a constant number is added to get the
succeeding terms . For other sequences , the terms are increasing because the number to
be added is increasing in a predictable way. There are number patterns whose terms are
decreasing , because the number to be added is decreasing in an expected way.

Examples :

To generate the next term , the number to Example

be added is
Repeating 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, . . .
Growing / increasing 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 29, . . .
Shrinking 118, 98, 73, 43, 8 , - 32 ,. . .

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The Fibonacci Sequence

As we have seen in the previous section , the human mind is hardwired to recognize
patterns . In Mathematics , we can generate patterns by performing one or several
mathematical operations repeatedly. Suppose we choose the number 3 as the first number
in our pattern . We then choose to add 5 to our first number , resulting in 8 , in which is our
second number . Repeating this process , we obtain 13 , 18 , 23 , 28 , . . . as the succeeding
numbers that form our pattern . In mathematics , we call these ordered lists of numbers a
sequence .

Example 1 : Generating a sequence

Analyze the given sequence for its rule and identify the next three terms.

a. 1, 10, 100, 1000

b. 2, 5, 9, 14, 20

Solution

a. Looking at the set of numbers , it can be observed that each term is a power of 10 :
1 = 100 , 10 = 101 , 100 = 102 , and 1000 = 103 . Following this rue , the next three terms are : 10 4
= 10,000 , 105 = 100,000 , and 106 = 1,000,000.

b. The difference between the first and second terms ( 2 and 5 ) is 3 . The difference between
the second and third terms ( 5and 9 ) is 4 . The difference between the third and fourth terms
( 9 and 14 ) is 5 . The difference between the fourth and the fifth terms is 6 . Following this rule ,
it can be deduced that to obtain the next three terms , we should add 7, 8, 9, respectively , to
the current term. Hence , the next three terms are 20 + 7 = 27, 27 + 8 = 35, 35 + 9 = 44.
EXERCISE SET :

Analyze the given sequence for its rule and identify the next three terms.

a. 16, 32, 64, 128

b. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8

The sequence in item is a special sequence called the Fibonacci sequence . It named after the
Italian mathematician Leonerdo of Pisa , who was better known by his nickname Fibonacci . He
said to have discovered this sequence as he looked at how a hypothesized group of rabbits
bred and reproduced . The problem involved having a single pair of rabbits and then finding out
how many pairs of rabbits will be born in a year, with the assumption that a new pair of rabbits
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is born each month and this new pair , in turn , gives birth to additional pairs of rabbits
beginning at two months after they were born . He noted that the set of numbers generated
from this problem could extended by getting the sum of the two previous terms.
Starting with 0 and 1 , the succeeding terms in the sequence can be generated by adding
the two numbers that came before the term :

0+1 = 1 0, 1, 1
1+1 = 2 0, 1, 1, 2
1+2 = 3 0, 1, 1, 2, 3
2+3 = 5 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5
3+5 = 8 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
5+8 = 13 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13
... 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, . . .

Fibonacci sequence has many interesting properties . Among these is that this pattern is
very visible in nature . Some of nature’s most beautiful patterns , like the spiral arrangement of
sunflower seeds , the number of petals in a flower , and the shape of a snail’s shell – things that
we looked at earlier in this unit- all contain the Fibonacci numbers.
Fibonacci number in plants

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It is also interesting to note that ratios of successive Fibonacci numbers approach the number
𝚽 ( Phi ) ,also known as Golden Ratio . This is approximately equal to 1.618.

1 13
=1.000 =1.6250
1 8
 2 21
=2.000 =1.6154
1 13

3 34
=1.5000 =1.6190
2 21

5 55
=1.6667 =1.6177
3 34

8 89
=1.6000 =1.6182
5 55

The Golden Ratio can also be expressed as the ratio between two numbers , if the latter is also
the ratio between the sum and the larger of the two numbers . Geometrically , it can also
visualized as a rectangle perfect formed by a square and another rectangle , which can be
repeated infinitely inside its section.

Figure : Golden rectangle with the golden spiral

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Binet’s Formula : The use of Binet’s formula in finding Fibonacci number

 n n
( √ ) −( √ )
1+ 5 1− 5
2 2
√5
EXERCISE SET :

1. Determine the next two terms in the following sequence .

a. 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, ____, ____.
b. 448, 224, 112, 56, ____, ____ .
c. 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, ____, ____.
d. 151, 149, 145, 137, _____, _____.
e. √ 2 ,12+ √ 2 ,24 + √ 2 ,36+ √ 2 , _______, _______.

2. What is the missing number in each of these sequence ?

a. ? , 17 , 15, 13, . . .
b. 8, 11 , ? , 17 , . . .
c. 5, ? , 27 , 38 , . . .
d. 84 , ? , 76, 72 , . . .
e. 98 , 109 , ? , 131, . . .

Mathematics for our World

Mathematics for Organizations :

A lot of events happen around us. In the blink of an eye , several children have already been
born , liters of water have been consumed , or thousands of tweets have been posted. For us to
make a sense of all available information , we need mathematical tools to help us make sound
analysis and better decisions. For instance , a particular store can gather data on the shopping
habits of its consumers and make necessary adjustments to help drive sales. Scientist can plot
bird migration routes to help conserve endangered animal populations . Social media analysts
can crunch all online posting using software to gauge the netizens’ sentiments on particular
issues or personalities.

Mathematics for Predictions :

It is sometimes said that history repeats itself . as much as we can use mathematical models
using existing data to generate analysis and interpretations , we can also use them to make
predictions . applying the concept of probability , experts can calculate the chance of an event
occurring. The weather is a prime example. Based on historical patterns , meteorologist can
make forecasts to help us prepare for our day – to – day activities. They can also warn us of
weather disturbances that can affect our activities for weeks or months .
Mathematics for Control :

We have demonstrated by means of examples around us that patterns are definitely present in
the universe. There seems to be an underlying mathematical structure in the way that natural
objects and phenomenon behave. While photographers could capture a single moment through
a snapshot , videographers could record events as they unfold. Painters and sculptors could
create masterpieces in interpreting their surroundings , poets could use beautiful words to
describe an object , and musicians could capture and reproduce sounds that they hear. This
observations of nature , as well as their interactions and relationships , could be more elegantly
described by means of mathematical equations. Though the use of mathematics , man is also
able to exert control over himself and the effects of nature.

UNIT I SUMMARY

The following table summarizes essential concepts in this unit. The references given in the right-
hand column list Examples and Exercises that can be used to your understanding of a concept.

Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the

World
Patterns : Patterns are regular , repeated , or See examples on pages 1 - 8
recurring forms or designs. Patterns are
commonly observed in natural objects , such
as the six-fold symmetry of snowflakes , the
hexagonal structure and formation of
honeycombs , the numbers of seeds in a
sunflower , the spiral of a snail’s shell and
the number of petals of flowers. Human are
hard wired to recognized patterns and by
studying them , we discover the underlying
mathematical principles behind natures
design.
The Number Sequence : The number See examples on page 10 and then try
sequence may be identified by scrutinizing exercises on pages 10 and 14.
how the terms are related to one another .
To generate the next term of the sequence ,
a constant number is added , the number to
be added increases , or the number to be
added decreases.
The Fibonacci Sequence
Sequence : A sequence in an ordered list of
numbers called terms , that may have
repeated values . The arrangement of these
terms is set by a definite rule . The terms of a
sequence could be generated by applying the
rule to previous terms of the sequence.

Fibonacci Sequence : The Fibonacci sequence

is formed by adding the preceding two
numbers , beginning with 0 and 1 .
Ratios of two Fibonacci number approximate
the Golden Ratio , which is considered as the
most aesthetically pleasing proportion.

Mathematics for our World

Mathematics helps organize patterns and
regularities in the world. Mathematics helps
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.