UNIT I

1: MATHEMATICS IN OUR WORLD

Living in modern world, it is evident that mathematics plays a vital role in our world. Having the
ability and habit of finding and recognizing patterns and symmetries is embedded deep within our
psychology. Even in the early times, where there are no modern technologies mathematics used by
ancestor for survival purposes. How they do it? They did it by observing the recurrences of phenomena
and events before and after such experiences. Also, they observed the unique visual characteristics (or
unique patterns) that distinguish poisoned fruits from edible one.
Haven't you at any point considered how glorious it is for the left and right sides of a butterfly to
look alike one another? Haven't you at any point asked why practically all trees appear to be identical –
with the branches coming from the trunk? Haven't you at any point inquired as to why the state of a
moving snake resembles the state of a waterway? Haven't you asked for what reason do the highlights you
have on the left side mirror those at the right side?
In this lesson, you will be to understand the different patterns and symmetries we encountered
every day. Let’s start by what objectives you should achieve at the end of this lesson.
At the end of the unit, I am able to:
1. identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world;
2. classify the objects according to symmetry;
3. articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life;
4. relate the Fibonacci number and Golden Ratio in the occurrences in nature; and
5. express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.
Activating Your Prior Knowledge

I. Identification. Choose your answer from the box.

Fractals Spirals Translational Symmetry Reflectional Symmetry

Symmetry Golden RatioRock Formation Rotational Symmetry
Chaos Leonardo BigolioAnimal Kingdom Fibonacci Numbers

______________ 1. This kind of symmetry is exhibited by objects which do not change its size and shape
if it moved to another location.
______________ 2. This is a simple pattern created from a complicated underlying behavior and used to
described a kind of order which lacks predictability.
______________ 3. This kind of symmetry is exhibited by objects when their similar parts are regularly
arranged around a central axis and the pattern looks the same after a certain amount of rotation.
______________ 4. An object said to have this type of pattern when it remains unchanged after
transformations such as rotations and scaling are applied to it.
______________ 5. These are curved patterns made by a series of circular shapes revolving around a
central point.
______________ 6. These are never-ending patterns that are self-similar across different scales.
______________ 7. It is made with line going through an object which divides it into two pieces which
are mirror images of each other.
______________ 8. It is the ratio of two quantities when the ration of their sums to the larger quantity is
equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller quantity and equal to the irrational number
1.618034.

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______________ 9. It is a numerical series found by adding two numbers preceding it.
______________ 10. What animal used by Bigolio as the foundation of his theory?

II. From the given picture of nautilus shell. Answer the following question based from your observation.

1. What do you notice about the construction of nautilus shell?

2. Observe your surroundings, what other thing in nature (e.g. plants, animals, insects) have this
kind of pattern?

3. Attach atleast 2 photos of your answer in problem no. 2.

Expanding Your knowledge

TYPES OF PATTERNS IN NATURE
1. Symmetry
The American Heritage Dictionary defines Symmetry as an “exact correspondence of
form and constituent configuration on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or about a center
or an axis”. In mathematics, an object is said to have symmetry when it remains unchanged after
transformations such as rotations and scaling are applied to it. Symmetries has different kinds and
they will be discussed in the next section.

2. Fractals
Fractals are persistent patterns which are self-similar across different scales. This means
that zooming in the lens onto the object's digital image (fractal) does not provide specifics of a
new view, but just the same as the original image. The image clearly reappears again and again,
no matter how many times the object is magnified,Examples of fractals in nature include
geological fault lines, mountain ranges, coastlines, animal coloration patterns, pineapples, heart
rates, and the circulatory system.

3. Spirals
Spirals are curved patterns rendered around a central point by series of circular shapes.
The spiral pattern, like fractals, is very common in nature-from the biological molecules that
make up humans to the body plans of some plants and animals to typhoons and galaxies. Some
examples showing the spiral patterns in nature can be seen in snail shells, typhoon satellite
imagesand horns of a ram.

4. Chaos

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 Chaotic patterns (or chaos) are basic patterns generated from underlying complicated
behaviour. Unlike common concept that relates it to total chaos, a chaotic pattern is used to define
a sort of order that lacks predictability. Chaos reveals the underlying patterns, continuous
feedback loops, repetition, self-similarity, fractals, self-organization and programming
dependencyat the initial stages, the apparent randomness of chaotic and dynamic systems and the
unpredictable and unstable processes occur. Chaos frequently involves fractals. Examples of
chaotic patterns in nature can be seen in clouds street Tornado and mollusk shell.

SYMMETRIES OF OUR SURROUNDINGS

Throughout our daily language we refer to symmetry as a sense of balance and proportion that is
harmonious and beautiful. As what was said earlier, when an object stays unchanged, it is said to have
symmetry after transformations such as rotations and scaling are introduced in it. Nature is packed with
patterns with particular symmetries with various kinds.

1. Reflection Symmetry
Often known as mirror symmetry or line symmetry. Reflection symmetry is made by a
line going through an object splitting it into two parts that are one mirror images of the other.
This is also called bilateral symmetry, since it splits the object into two ("bi" means two) mirror
images.

2. Rotational Symmetry
Also known as radial symmetry in Biology, objects show this kind of symmetry when
their identical parts are consistently arranged around a central axis, and the pattern looks the same
after a certain amount of rotation. Objects and species that exhibit radial symmetry bear a
similarity to a pie that contains similar parts after many lines or planes have been removed.There
are no left or right side to some of these objects or organism.
However, some sources say that rotational and radial symmetries differ from each other
because they do not need to shift (rotate) radial symmetries to demonstrate their symmetry.

3. Translational Symmetry
This type of symmetry is demonstrated by objects that do not change their size and shape
even though they move to another place. Remember that reflection or rotation is not involved in
the movement.

SHAPES IN NATURE
The world is packed with varying forms or shapes. Everywhere you look, there are shapes
surrounding us all that you see (and can't see), every person and every non-living matter. The Universe
without shape is very difficult to picture, wouldn't you agree?
Let's look at the shapes of objects that we see in Nature.
1. Crystals
Crystals are solid materials with a structure that is enclosed and arranged in surfaces with
symmetrical planes, intersecting at definite angles. The crystals can be seen in snowflakes, rocks,
diamonds, table salts and other minerals.

2. Rock Formation
Many of the stones and rocks that we normally see every day are irregular and of various
shapes. However, in other parts of the world, there are several rock / rock forms where Nature
proves to be a master sculptor.

3. Animal Kingdom

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 Between the millions of organisms that we have in the world are numerous types, the
majority of which are unusual. Looking closely though, we can observe patterns of normal shapes
that seem to be mysterious and awesome.
THE FIBONACCI NUMBERS
Supposed that you have a pair of rabbits (male and female). How many rabbits can be produced
from that pair in if it is supposed that every month each pair begets a new pair from which the second
month on becomes productive? (Note: Given no rabbits die in the entire time).
This problem may seem uninteresting question for some of you or other may think that it has
nothing to do with your life. But this problem brings as one of the most fascinating discovery in
mathematics for all of man’s history- the Fibonacci Sequence.
The Fibonacci sequence is a very interesting math idea. It will be easy for you to understand its
principle because of its occurrence in the appearance in nature, animals and cosmos.
The Fibonacci numbers were first discovered by an Italian mathematician named Leonardo
Pisano. He is famously known by his nickname, Fibonacci. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers
in which each term is the sum of the two numbers preceding it. It is defined by the recursive relation
defined by the equations
Fn= Fn-1 + Fn-2
Where: Fn is the Fibonacci number
Fn-1 is the number between Fn; and
Fn-2 is the number before Fn-1
For all n ≥ 3 where F1 = 1; F2 = 1 where Fn represents the nth Fibonacci number (n is called an
index).The Fibonacci sequence can elaborately write as {1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144,233…….}.
Let’s go back to the introductory problem about the rabbit that used by Fibonacci as the
foundation of this sequence. Fibonacci placed one rabbit male and one female into a field. Fibonacci
supposed the rabbits lived forever, and a new pair of one male and one female was created each month.
Fibonacci questioned how many will shape a year from now. After the Fibonacci series the reproduction
of rabbits was calculated perfectly 144pairs of rabbits.
Take a look at this picture representing the Fibonacci Sequence in rabbits.

Source:indianexpress.com

Following the setup there will be 144 pairs of rabbits after a year. In nature, Fibonacci can be found not
only in the famous experiment with rabbits but also in beautiful flowers. Most of us probably never took
the time to look very carefully at the number or arrangement of petals on a flora. If we were to do so, we

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will find that the number of petals on a flower that still has all its petals intact and hasn't lost any, is a
Fibonacci number for several flowers.
(Video for Enrichment: Fibonacci in Nature, the Journey of Purpose TJOP (2013) URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt2OlMAJj6o)

THE GOLDEN RATIO

Golden ratio is among the best known and most popular numbers that are studied in mathematics.
The ancient Greeks gave it mystical properties and called it the divine proportion, and over the years, the
number hastaken many different names: the golden number, the golden section, and in modern times the
golden ratio, which is the name we use until now.
From the Fibonacci Numbers, we will try something very intriguing relationship with it and
Golden ration. First, you need to pick one Fibonacci number from the series and get its ratio to the
number that comes before the number you chose in the series. Let say you chose the first number 1 in the
series; you’ll get the following:

FIBONACCI NUMBERS OPERATION RATIO

1 1/0 UNDEFINED
1 1/1 1
2 2/1 2
3 3/2 1.5
5 5/3 1.67
8 8/5 1.6
13 13/8 1.625
21 21/13 1.615
34 34/21 1.619
89 89/34 2.618
144 144/89 1.618
233 233/144 1.618

The peculiar thing about the ratio of the Fibonacci numbers is that the ratios began to reach 1.618
and then repeated again and again.In addition, even if we seek to get the number ratio after 233, we will
still arrive at the answer with many decimal places which can be rounded to the fixed limit value of
approximately 1.618034.

An unevenly divided rectangle resulting in one square and one rectangle, the sides of the square
would have a ratio of 1:1, and the new rectangle would be exactly identical to the original rectangle -
1:1.618.

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 Source: fractalenlightenment.com
Such iteration will proceed indefinitely, in both directions. The golden spiral is created when you
map a quarter circle within each of the squares as they reiterate. The golden spiral may be the simplest
mathematical pattern that exists in nature, such as snail shells, sea shells, horns, flowers, plants. Statistics
are just what we use to organize the quantitative results.

(Video for Enrichment:What is Golden ratio?, Tipping Point Math (2017)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSfJEDZ_WM)

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Synthesizing your Knowledge

Activity 1
Name:____________________________ Date Accomplished:_________
Section:__________________________
I. Identification. Choose your answer from the box.
Fractals Spirals Translational Symmetry Reflectional Symmetry
Symmetry Golden Ratio Rock Formation Rotational Symmetry
Chaos Leonardo BigolioAnimal Kingdom Fibonacci Numbers

______________ 1. This kind of symmetry is exhibited by objects which do not

change its size and shape if it moved to another location.
______________ 2. This is a simple pattern created from a complicated underlying
behavior and used to described a kind of order which lacks predictability.
______________ 3. This kind of symmetry is exhibited by objects when their
similar parts are regularly arranged around a central axis and the pattern looks the
same after a certain amount of rotation.
______________ 4. An object said to have this type of pattern when it remains
unchanged after transformations such as rotations and scaling are applied to it.
______________ 5. These are curved patterns made by a series of circular shapes
revolving around a central point.
______________ 6. These are never-ending patterns that are self-similar across
different scales.
______________ 7. It is made with line going through an object which divides it
into two pieces which are mirror images of each other.
______________ 8. It is the ratio of two quantities when the ration of their sums to
the larger quantity is equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller quantity
and equal to the irrational number 1.618034.
______________ 9. It is a numerical series found by adding two numbers
preceding it.
______________ 10. What animal used by Bigolio as the foundation of his theory?

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 II. True or False.
_____________1. Mathematics helps to disorganize patterns and regularities in the
world.
_____________ 2. Mathematics is just for the books, confined in the classroom.
_____________ 3. Mathematics helps control nature and occurrences in the world
for our own ends.
_____________ 4. Mathematics has numerous applications in the world making it
indispensable.
_____________ 5. Mathematics helps predict the behavior of nature and
phenomena in the world.

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 Activity 2
Name:____________________________ Date Accomplished:_________
Section:________________________

Direction: Answer the following questions

a. Using a graphing paper, you will create a spiral by creating squares whose
side measurements are always the new measurement of the next square.
Follow the following steps:
i. Draw a square that measures one square unit.
ii. Draw a second square of one square unit to the left of the square.
iii. Draw a 2x2 square above the squares just drawn; making sure that one
side of your square is the length of the two squares just drawn.
iv. Draw a 3x3 to the right of the other three squares.
v. Continues the previous steps until you have filled the graph paper
with similar squares.

b. Create a spiral by drawing an arc starting from the inside of the initial square
and make it pass from the corner to the next so that it is continuously passing
each new square from corner to corner.
c. List down the measurement of side of each square. What do you notice?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

d. To find the remaining numbers for the sequence, what pattern have you
used?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

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 Activity 3
Name:____________________________ Date Accomplished:_________
Section:________________________

Direction: Fill the missing values of the given pattern.

A.
1. 89, 144, ____, 377,_____, 987,…

2. ____, 89, 144, ____, 377, 610,…

3. 2, 3, 5, ____, 12, ____, …

4. 15, 24, ____, 63, ____, 165, …

5. 1864, ______, 4880, _____, 127776, 20672,…

6. 18, ___, 48, ___, 126, 204, 330,…

7. 105, 170, ____, 275, ___, 720, 1165,…

8. 8, ____, 21, ____, 34, 55, …

9. _____, ______, 15, 24, 39, 63,…

10. 189, _____, 495, ____, 1296, 2067,…

B. From the given sequence of numbers, find its next term.

1. 2, 3, 8, 11, _____
2. 3, 9, 27, 81, ____
3 8 18
3. 0 , , , , _____
2 3 4

4. 2, 5, 10, 17, ____

12 3 4
5. , , , , ____
2 5 10 17

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Additional reading and video materials
Online video links:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/patterns-in-nature-definition-examples.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt2OlMAJj6o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSfJEDZ_WM
Online reading links:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330740074_The_Fibonacci_Numbers_an
d_Its_Amazing_Applications

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