Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

UNIT 1: MATHEMATICS IN OUR WORLD

Introduction
People frequently think of mathematics as being simply about numbers and arithmetic. Giving
more weight to numerical skills has typically resulted in people having a negative attitude about
mathematics, and it is likely that you share this experience. But at this point, it must be made
clear that mathematics is not just about numbers. Math is more than just computation. It is an
art by which the universe is designed creatively. Patterns are core topics in Mathematics. In
fact, it is also known as the science of patterns- the numeric patterns and geometric patterns.
Mathematics provides us with a tool to comprehend patterns, measure relationships, and
make future predictions. We utilize the world to understand Mathematics, and Mathematics
helps us comprehend the world.
In this unit, you will learn in this lesson that Mathematics is not just applied to numbers
but also to the natural world and the objects in it. You will also discover how numerical patterns
and sequences relate to natural phenomena.

Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this unit, you are expected to:
a. identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world;
b. articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life;
c. argue about the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed, represented and
used; and
d. express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Lesson 1: Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

We are surrounded by a diverse collection of visual patterns, both living and non-living.
Try to observe the cloudy sky, the forest's trees, the mountains' rocks, the garden's sunflowers,
the ants working, and the birds swarming in the sky. See how our sun's rays pierce through
dense clouds, the spectacular drama of storm cells, the symmetry of butterfly wings, the
algorithmic nature of seashells, and the ordered geometry of spider webs.
Have you ever thought about how nature likes to arrange itself in patterns in order to act
efficiently? Nothing in nature happens without a reason, all of these patterns have an important
reason to exist and they also happen to be beautiful to watch.
By studying patterns in nature, we gain an appreciation and understanding of the world in
which we live and how everything is connected. And, by engaging nature, we acquire a deeper
connection with our spiritual self. So, let us check out examples of some of these patterns and
you may be able to spot a few the next time you go for a walk.

Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
a. differentiate the types of patterns in nature; and
b. classify the different patterns explored in nature.

Mind Activation
The natural world is a beautiful place with incredible shapes and patterns.
Check out the images below. Do you recognize any of these? Have you ever noticed these
recurring patterns in nature?

What does each picture above tell you about?

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Acquiring New Skills

Mathematical Pattern in Nature

All of these are natural patterns. Nature is full with patterns. Some patterns are as
microscopic as the crystals' molecular arrangements and as large as the Milky Way Galaxy's
enormous spiral pattern. Although patterns are often thought of as being uniform and regular,
some patterns appear more random yet consistent. The definition of a pattern in nature is a
consistent form, design, or expression that is not random. Natural items exhibit patterns just
like numerical patterns.

Types of Patterns in Nature

1. Symmetry
In Mathematics, symmetry means that one shape is identical to the other shape when it is
moved, rotated, or flipped. A shape is said to be symmetric if it can be divided into two more
identical pieces which are placed in an organized way. Symmetry is a mirror image, that is,
when an image retains its original appearance after being twisted or flipped. Patterns contain
symmetry. When two sides of an object are balanced and proportionately comparable, one half
is the mirror image of the other.

2. 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.

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

3. Spirals
A spiral is a curved pattern that revolves a succession of circular forms around a central
point. Pine cones, pineapples, and hurricanes are a few examples of spirals. Plants adopt spiral
shapes because they are continually attempting to grow while maintaining stability. Plants
condense and take up less space when arranged in a spiral, making it stronger and more resistant
to the weather.

4. Line patterns
Nature often has linear designs, including line patterns. The colored lines that can be seen
on the long, narrow leaves of some grasses or bamboo stalks can be used to identify line
patterns, as can the fractures in a dried riverbed's surface. Line patterns in nature do not need
to be uniform or moving in one direction. The pattern's essential component is a line.

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

5. Spots and Stripes

Spots and stripes are two patterns commonly found in the natural world. Spots are small,
round, colored areas on a surface while stripes patterns emerge when interacting substances
create waves of high and low concentrations of, for example, a pigment, chemical, or type of
cell. The most well-known example of dots in nature is probably spotted cats.

Trying out Acquired Skills

Every single pattern has a purpose in nature and is fascinating to observe. Nothing in nature
happens for no reason. You might be able to identify a few of these patterns the next time you
go for a walk.
Among the images below, could you tell the pattern that each exhibit?

1. 2.

3. 4.

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5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

Harnessing Skill Integration

A Gallery of Patterns
Using your cellphone, take pictures of things, animals, plants or structures that you see
around exhibiting patterns. Classify your pictures according to the types of pattern. Provide 4
pictures for each type of pattern.

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Be guided by the following criteria of evaluating your output.

1 2 3 4
Variety of limited adequate good variety excellent
Pictures variety of variety of variety of
(1) pictures used of pictures pictures used pictures used
used
Correctness One of the Two of the Three of the Four of the
of Picture pictures pictures pictures pictures
(4) show a show a show a show a
pattern pattern pattern pattern
Quality of Very poor Poor quality Good quality Excellent
Pictures quality of of pictures of pictures quality of
(2) pictures pictures

Scrutinizing Own Learning

Write about the role that mathematics has played in your life. Give specific examples of
how you use it in your everyday life. Your essay must have at least 150 words and no more
than 200.
1 2 3 4
Focus The essay The essay is The essay is The essay is
poorly focused on focused on focused,
addresses topic the purposeful,
topic and includes topic and and
and includes few includes reflects clear
irrelevant loosely relevant insight and
ideas. related ideas. ideas.
ideas.
Organization Writing is Writing is Writing is Writing is
coherent but coherent and coherent and coherent and
not logically somewhat logically logically
organized. logically organized. organized.
organized.
Grammar Many Some Few minor No
grammatical grammatical grammatical grammatical
errors. errors errors errors

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Lesson 2: The Fibonacci Sequence

Do you notice that a lot of things in nature follow the Fibonacci sequence? You may see
the Fibonacci sequence in the spiral patterns of sunflowers, daisies, broccoli, cauliflower, and
seashells. It can also be seen in biological situations including branching in trees, the
arrangement of leaves on a stem, pineapple fruit sprouts, artichoke flowering, uncurling ferns,
and the arrangement of pine cone bracts, among others.
Leonardo Pisano Bogollo, an Italian, was the first to discover the Fibonacci sequence
(Fibonacci). The numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are all whole numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8,
13, 21, 34, ... Each phrase in this infinite sequence—which has 0 and 1 as its initial values—is
the sum of the two terms before it. This pattern has been referred to as "nature's secret code."
The Fibonacci sequence is an interesting mathematical idea. Let us find out more about it
and its intriguing characteristics.

Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
a. explain Fibonacci numbers and their origin;
b. identify Fibonacci numbers in nature and art;
c. generate the next numbers in the Fibonacci sequence using the recursive formula; and
d. find the nth term of a Fibonacci sequence using the Binet’s formula.

Mind Activation
A team of wedding organizers wanted to have unique set-up of the chairs in one of their
events. The plan of the arrangement of chairs in the hall is presented as follows.

What pattern do the seats of the hall make?

How can you find the number of seats in the succeeding rows?
How many seats are there in next 4 rows?

Acquiring New Skills

What is the Fibonacci Sequence?
The infinite terms 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and 34 make up the Fibonacci sequence. It is a
series in which each number is the sum of the two numbers that came before it in the Fibonacci

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sequence. The 0 and 1 represent its first two terms. These numbers are referred to as Fibonacci
numbers. The Fibonacci sequence's first 15 terms are as follows:
F0 = 0 F8 = 21
F1 = 1 F9 = 34
F2 = 1 F10 = 55
F3 = 2 F11 = 89
F4 = 3 F12 = 144
F5 = 5 F13 = 233
F6 = 8 F14 = 377
F7 = 13 F15 = 610

Here, we can see that for n > 1, Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2. As an illustration:

• F2 = F 1 + F 0
• F3 = F 2 + F 1
• F4 = F3 + F2, and so on.

Fibonacci Sequence Formula

By setting F0 = 0, F1 = 1, and using the formula below to determine Fn, the recursive
formula can be used to establish the Fibonacci sequence formula for "Fn". As follows is the
Fibonacci formula.

Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2, where n > 1

n Term Fn-1 Fn-2 Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2, n> 𝟏

0 First F0 = 0
1 Second F0 = 0 F1 = 1
2 Third F1 = 1 F0 = 0 F2 = 0 + 1 = 1
3 Fourth F2 = 1 F1 = 1 F3 = 1 + 1 = 2
4 Fifth F3 = 2 F2 = 1 F4 = 2 + 1 = 3
5 Sixth F4 = 3 F3 = 2 F5 = 3 + 2 = 5
6 Seventh F5 =5 F4 = 3 F0 = 5 + 3 = 8

Binet's Formula
The nth term of the Fibonacci sequence can be found using an explicit technique called
Binet's formula. It was discovered by mathematician Jacques Philippe Marie Binet.
Formula
If is the th Fibonacci number, then
𝑛 𝑛
1 1 + √5 1 − √5
𝐹𝑛 = [( ) −( ) ]
√5 2 2

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Fibonacci Spiral
The spiral in the illustration below symbolizes the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci
number pattern is symbolized by the spiral. This spiral begins with a rectangle whose length
and width match the golden ratio (1.618). This rectangle is divided into two squares. The
squares are then divided once more. The spiral is drawn inside these squares, joining the corners
of the boxes. The ratio in the Fibonacci sequence approaches the golden ratio as the numbers
get greater.

Every two consecutive terms of the Fibonacci sequence in this spiral represent the length
and width of a rectangle. Let's determine the ratio between each pair of terms that make up the
Fibonacci sequence and examine how they combine to create the golden ratio.
• F2/F1 = 1/1 = 1
• F3/F2 = 2/1 = 2
• F4/F3 = 3/2 = 1.5
• F5/F4 = 5/3 = 1.667
• F6/F5 = 8/5 = 1.6
• F7/F6 = 13/8 = 1.625
• F8/F7 = 21/13 = 1.615
• F9/F8 = 34/21 = 1.619
• F10/F9 = 55/34 = 1.617
• F11/F10 = 89/55 = 1.618 = Golden Ratio

Thus, when the rectangle is quite large, its dimensions are very close together to form a
golden rectangle.
The Golden Ratio, has a close relationship with the Fibonacci Sequence. The Golden Ratio
(also known as the Golden Section, Golden Mean, Divine Proportion or Greek letter Phi) exists
when a line is divided into two parts and the longer part (a) divided by the smaller part (b) is
equal to the sum of (a) + (b) divided by (a), which both equal 1.618.

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Trying out Acquired Skills

A. Using the recursive formula, find the indicated term of the Fibonacci sequence.
1. F25
2. F30
3. F27
4. F36
5. F40
B. Use the Binet’s formula to find the value of the following:
1. F55
2. F62
3. F47
4. F61
5. F71

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Harnessing Skill Integration

Directions: Solve for the indicated term of the Fibonacci sequence using the recursive
formula or Binet’s formula. Then decode the quotation by writing the word in the quotation
box corresponding to your answer in the code box.

Quotation Box:

_________________ _________________ _________________

F22 F60 F41

_________________ _________________ _________________
F17 F53 F31
_________________ _________________ _________________
F49 F28 F44
_________________ _________________ _________________
F56 F33 F50
_________________
F25
PAUL LOCKHART

Code Box:
7,778,742,049 317,811
PATTERNS AND
701,408,733 1,597
CRAFTING ALWAYS
53,316,291,173 225,851,433,717
MEAN BEAUTIFUL
3,524,578 75,025
AND EXPLANATIONS
1,548,008,755,920 165,580,141
MATHEMATICS SHOULD
1,346,269 17,711
FINDING DOING
12,586,269,025
MEANINGFUL

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 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Synthesizing your Thoughts

Is God a Mathematician?

Watch the video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLd0jQkaOOo.

Then, write a reflection on the question: “What new ideas about Mathematics did you learn
that have changed your thoughts about it?”.

Rubric:

1 2 3 4
Content Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
limited very general knowledge strong
knowledge or knowledge of of the topic. knowledge of
understanding the topic the topic.
of the topic.
Organization Writing is Writing is Writing is Writing is
coherent but coherent and coherent and coherent and
not logically somewhat logically logically
organized. logically organized. organized.
organized.
Grammar Many Some Few minor No
grammatical grammatical grammatical grammatical
errors. errors errors errors

UNIT SUMMARY

✓ Natural visual patterns abound in the world.

✓ In nature, repeating shapes, lines, or colors form patterns that can be seen everywhere.
✓ These recurring patterns can occasionally be mathematically modelled and occur in various
contexts.

✓ The main categories of repeated patterns in nature are symmetry, fractals, spiral, line
patterns, and spots and stripes.

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