LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO DEL NORTE STATE UNIVERSITY

“For Nation’s Greater Heights”

Organized by:

JIMBO JUANITO B. VILLAMOR, MA

MARIA FE C. GUERRA, MAEd
FLORIA C. DIALDE, MA
RICKY T. OSORIO, MA
RHEA MAE C. BABAS, MA
GINA C. BOTOY, MA
EDILMAR P. MASUHAY, MS
JONATHAN C. MACABODBOD, EdD
JULIUS G. CAADAN, PhD
ROSEMARIE C. ARCAYA, PhD

Submitted to:

CARMELIN P. MOSA, Ph.D

Dean, CTE

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 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO DEL NORTE STATE UNIVERSITY
“For Nation’s Greater Heights”
MODULE 1

Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

1. Title: Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

2. Topic: Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

3. Time Frame: 6 hrs.

4. Introduction

Why Study Mathematics? Mathematics has become one of the most powerful tools in
understanding the world around us. How nature including the flora and fauna behave and
react can be explained in simple terms if not up to its complexities.

Quite often, people confine mathematics to numbers and arithmetic. Such partial and
superficial understanding of the nature of this body of knowledge has restrained a liberal
culture of learning in our educational system. This learning module on patterns in nature can
exhibit the potential of learners more about reasoning, making logical inferences and
generalizations, and seeing relationships in both the visible and invisible patterns in the
natural world.

5. Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

 Discuss the importance of mathematics in one’s life;
 Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world;
 Explain the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed, represented and
used; and
 Solve basic problem solving in Fibonacci sequence and other number patterns,
including population growth; and
 Express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

6. Learning Activities

Activity 1: Think and Share

Mathematics is all around us. As we discover more and more about our environment
and our surroundings we see that nature can be described mathematically. The beauty of a
flower, the majesty of a tree and mountain, even the rocks upon which we walk can exhibit
nature’s sense of symmetry and patterns.

Below are pictures of some common entities in nature. Describe the following pictures
below according to how you perceived it.

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A. B.

C. D.

Have you ever stopped to look around and notice all the amazing shapes and patterns
we see in the world around us? Mathematics forms the building blocks of the natural world
and can be seen in stunning ways. Here are some other examples of math in nature, but there
are many other examples as well.

Activity 2: Video Watching

To mathematically explain patterns in the world, watch a video which contains discussions
on the following math concepts:

1. Fibonacci Sequence: https://youtu.be/SjSHVDfXHQ4

2. Golden Ratio: https://youtu.be/9mozmHgg9Sk
3. Tesselations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GiKeeWSf4s

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Guide Questions:

1. What math concept is fully discussed on each video?

2. What is about these concepts? Cite few more real-world cases or examples that would
show the concepts.

3. What are your insights about these mathematical truths or certainties?

4. What did Galileo mean when he said, “Mathematics is the alphabet by which God
has written the universe”? Do you agree on this adage? Why?

Points to Ponder: Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

Ian Stewart, a British mathematician, once quoted that “Mathematics is the science of
patterns, and nature exploits just about every pattern there is.” Philosophers and
mathematicians have, for long, dedicated themselves to the cause of explaining nature,
beginning from the very early ventures of ancient Greeks. After all, mathematics is, in its very
essence, a search for patterns of all kinds – and what better place to find such irregularities
than nature itself? A closer look into nature leads to some very interesting implications about
the underlying beauty of our universe.

Consider the example of a crystal. A ‘perfect’ crystal is one that is fully symmetrical,
without any structural defects. Of course, perfect crystals do not really exist; the physical world
is rarely perfect. Mathematics is an abstract language, and the laws of physics serve to apply
these abstractions to the real world. Assuming the object as perfect helps our cause. So, it is
just that identifying a crystal as a symmetrical, uniform structure helps us in making
approximations about its aspects. Similarly, meanders or bends in rivers find explanation in
the branch of fluid dynamics pertaining to physics. On a more cosmic scale, the characteristic
spiral of galaxies that we are all too familiar with is a result of the laws of gravitation and can
be modeled as such. Finding such patterns and abstractions facilitates our understanding of
the world around us.

Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in the natural world.
These patterns recur in different contexts and can sometimes be modelled
mathematically. Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders, waves,
foams, tessellations, cracks and stripes.

The following are the basic ideas about patterns in nature and the world:

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1.1. Fibonacci Sequence

Named for the famous mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci, this number sequence is
simple, yet profound pattern.

Often called ‘Nature’s Universal Rule’, the Fibonacci sequence is perhaps one of the most
famous mathematical sequences. The origin of this sequence is much contested, although
it is commonly attributed to the Italian mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci. In his famous
work ‘Liber Abaci’, he introduced a hypothetical problem involving rabbits and employed
the sequence to find the number of rabbits after a certain period of time.

In this sequence, each number is the sum of the two numbers that precede it. Take a look:
0….1….1….2….3….5….8….13….21….34
Illustration:
This sequence begins with the numbers 1 and 1 or 0 and 1, and then each subsequent
number is found by adding the two previous numbers.

After 1 and 1, the next number is 2, that is, 1+1. The next number is 3, taken from 1+2,
and then 5, taken from 2+3 and so on.

Fibonacci sequence:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, …

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, …

Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

The Fibonacci sequence can be observed in a stunning variety of phenomena in nature.

Nautilus shells, one of the most iconic examples of the Fibonacci sequence, follow the
proportional increase of 1.61.

The total number of petals of a flower is often a number present in the Fibonacci sequence,
as with irises and lilies. Most pineapples have either five, eight, thirteen or twenty-one
spirals; these are also Fibonacci numbers.

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“For Nation’s Greater Heights”

Something strange happens when the sequence approaches infinity. The ratio between
two consecutive numbers converges to 1.61803… : ‘phi’, or as you might call it, the ‘golden
ratio’.

1.2. Golden Ratio

The "golden ratio" is a unique mathematical relationship. Two numbers are in the golden
ratio if the ratio of the sum of the numbers (a + b) divided by the larger number (a) is equal
to the ratio of the larger number divided by the smaller number (a/b).

The golden ratio is about 1.618, and represented by the Greek letter phi, Φ.

The ratios of sequential Fibonacci numbers (2/1, 3/2, 5/3, etc.) approach the golden ratio.
In fact, the higher the Fibonacci numbers, the closer their relationship is to 1.618.

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The golden ratio is sometimes called the "divine proportion," because of its frequency in
the natural world. The number of petals on a flower, for instance, will often be a Fibonacci
number.

The seeds of sunflowers and pine cones twist in opposing spirals of

Fibonacci numbers.

Even the sides of an unpeeled banana will usually be a

Fibonacci number—and the number of ridges on a peeled
banana will usually be a larger Fibonacci number.

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“For Nation’s Greater Heights”

1.3. Tesselations

Tessellation (Tiling) is a shape that repeats to form a pattern.

Tessellation Definition
A tessellation is created when a shape is repeated over
and over again covering a plane without any gaps or
overlaps.

Another word for a tessellation is a tiling.

Tiling Definition
When you fit individual tiles together with no gaps or
overlaps to fill a flat space like a ceiling, wall, or floor,
you have a tiling.

What are Tessellations?

The word 'tessera' in latin means a small stone cube. They were used to make up
'tessellata' - the mosaic pictures forming floors and “tilings” in Roman buildings. The term
has become more specialized and is often used to refer to pictures or tiles, mostly in the
form of animals and other life forms, which cover the surface of a plane in a symmetrical
way without overlapping or leaving gaps.

Examples:

Rectangles Octagons and Squares Different Pentagons

Tessellations in Nature

Tessellations form a class of patterns found in nature. The arrays of hexagonal cells in
a honeycomb or the diamond-shaped scales that pattern snake skin are natural examples
of tessellation patterns. Distinct shapes are formed from several geometric units (tiles) that
all fit together with no gaps or overlaps to form an interesting and united pattern.
Tessellating patterns are abstract and non-representational which makes their
interpretation open to the imagination of all people.

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Honeycomb Snake skin Flower

Leaves Drought Sunflower

1.4. Fractals
A fractal is a never-ending pattern. Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are
self-similar across different scales. They are created by repeating a simple process over
and over in an ongoing feedback loop. Driven by recursion, fractals are images of dynamic
systems – the pictures of Chaos. Geometrically, they exist in between our familiar
dimensions. Fractal patterns are extremely familiar, since nature is full of fractals.

For instance: trees, rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds, seashells, hurricanes, etc.
Abstract fractals – such as the Mandelbrot Set – can be generated by a computer
calculating a simple equation over and over.

Examples:

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1.5. Other Patterns in Nature

Hexagons in Nature

Another of nature’s geometric wonders is the hexagon. A regular hexagon has 6

sides of equal length, and this shape is seen again and again in the world around us.

The most common example of nature using hexagons is in a bee hive. Bees build
their hive using a tessellation of hexagons. But did you know that every snowflake is also
in the shape of a hexagon?

Honeycomb Bubbles

We also see hexagons in the bubbles that make up a raft bubble. Although we
usually think of bubbles as round, when many bubbles get pushed together on the
surface of water, they take the shape of hexagons.

Concentric Circles in Nature

Another common shape in nature is a set of concentric circles. Concentric means the
circles all share the same center, but have different radii. This means the circles are all
different sizes, one inside the other.

A common example is in the ripples of a pond when something hits the surface of the
water. But we also see concentric circles in the layers of an onion and the rings of trees
that form as it grows and ages.

If you live near woods, you might go looking for a fallen tree to count the rings, or look
for an orb spider web, which is built with nearly perfect concentric circles.

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Patterns in Outer Space

Moving away from planet earth, we can also see many

of these same mathematical features in outer space.

For instance, the shape of our galaxy is a Fibonacci

spiral. The planets orbit the sun on paths that are
concentric. We also see concentric circles in the rings of
Saturn. But we also see a unique symmetry in outer space
that is unique (as far as scientists can tell) and that is the symmetry between the earth,
moon and sun that makes a solar eclipse possible.

Every two years, the moon passes between the sun and the earth in such a way that it
appears to completely cover the sun. But how is this possible when the moon is so much
smaller than the sun?

1.6. Number Patterns

Number pattern is a pattern or sequence in a series of numbers. This pattern generally
establishes a common relationship between all numbers.

For example:
0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...

A sequence is a pattern of numbers that are formed in accordance with a definite rule.

We can often describe number patterns in more than one way. To illustrate this, consider
the following sequence of numbers {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …}.

Clearly, the first term of this number pattern is 1; and the terms after the first term are
obtained by adding 2 to the previous term. We can also describe this number pattern as
a set of odd numbers.

Activity 3: Patterns of Numbers

Determine the next 3 terms in the following sequences.
1. 13, 21, 34, 55, __, __, …
2. 55, 89, 144, 233, __, __, …
3. 2, 3, 5, 8, __, __, …
4. 21, 34, 55, 89, __, __, …
5. 89, 144, 233, 377, __, __, …
6. 34, 55, 89, 144, __, __, …
7. 8, 13, 21, 34, __, __, …
8. 3, 5, 8, 13, __, __, …

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Activity 4: Generating a Sequence

A. Analyze the given sequence for its rule and identify the next three terms
1. 1, 10, 100, 1000
2. 2, 5, 9, 14, 20
3. 16, 32, 64, 128
4. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
B. Let Fib(n) be the nth term of a Fibonacci sequence, with Fib(1) = 1,
Fib(2) = 1, Fib(3) = 2. Find:
1. Fib(8)
2. Fib(19)
1.7. Abstract Reasoning Patterns

An abstract reasoning test uses shapes and patterns to assess your logic, fluid
intelligence and problem-solving skills. You’ll be expected to quickly interpret a series of
images to deduce the rule or pattern that connects them (for example, a repetition of
colour, shape or size). Abstract tests are common for research, software development and
engineering roles.
For example, you might be asked to select, out of a number of possible options, which
image completes a sequence or statement of fact, which image is missing from the overall
picture or which image doesn’t correlate to the others shown.

Activity 5: Abstract Reasoning

Determine what completes the series.

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1.8. Population Growth Patterns

Mathematics can be used to model population growth. Using the exponential growth
formula, 𝑨 = 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒕 , where,

A is the size of population after it grows,

P is the initial number of people,
r is the rate of growth,
t is time, and
e is Euler’s constant, ≈ 2.718

Illustration:
The exponential growth model formula, 𝑨 = 𝟑𝟎𝒆𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝒕 , describes the population of a city in the
Philippines in thousands, t years after 1995.
1. What was the population of the city in 1995?
2. What will be the population by the end of 2021?
Solution:
1. Since our exponential growth model describes the population t years after 1995, we
consider 1995 as t=0 and then solve for A, our population size.
𝑨 = 30𝑒 0.02𝑡
= 30𝑒 0.02(0)
= 30𝑒 0
= 30(1)
𝑨 = 𝟑𝟎

Therefore, the city population in 1995 was 30,000.

2. We need to find A by the end of 2021. To find t, we subtract 2021 and 1995 to get t = 26.
Hence,
𝑨 = 30𝑒 0.02𝑡
= 30𝑒 0.02(26)
= 30𝑒 0.52
= 30(2.718)0.52
= 30(1.68194)
𝑨 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟒𝟓𝟖𝟐

Therefore, the city population would be about 50,458 by the end of 2021.

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7. Self-evaluation

Fill in the blanks with word to make the statement true.

1. A Fibonacci sequence is often called ______________ .

2. A ______________ is a pattern of numbers that are formed in accordance with a definite

rule.

3. The arrays of hexagonal cells in a honeycomb is an example of ______________ .

4. The rings of Saturn illustrates ____________.

5. Fractals are infinitely ____________ that are self-similar across different scales.

8. Learning Assessment Task

Answer the items in Worksheet No. 1

References:

Mathematics in the Modern World (2018). Rex Book Store, Inc.

Ben-Shlomo Y, Brookes S, Hickman M. 2013. Lecture Notes: Epidemiology, Evidence-based Medicine and
Public Health (6th ed.), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.

https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/research-methods/1a-epidemiology/methods-of-
sampling-population

http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/sampling.html

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