Chapter 1: Mathematics in the Modern World

Specific Objectives
1.​ To understand the mathematics of the modern world.
2.​ To revisit and appreciate the mathematical landscape.
3.​ To realize the importance of mathematics as a utility.
4.​ To gain awareness of the role of mathematics as well as our role in mathematics.
In this lesson, does not only attempt to explain the essence of mathematics, it serves also as a
hindsight of the entire course. The backbone of this lesson draws from the Stewart’s ideas embodied
in his book entitled Nature’s Numbers. The lesson provides new perspective to understand the
irregularity and chaos of our world as we move through the landscape of regularity and order. It
poses some thought-provoking questions to draw one’s innate mathematical intelligence by making
one curious, not so much to seek answers, but to ask more right questions.
The Nature of Mathematics
In the book of Stewart, Nature’s Number, that mathematics is a formal system of thought
that was gradually developed in the human mind and evolved in the human culture. Thus, in the
long course of human history, our ancestors at a certain point were endowed with insight to realize
the existence of “form” in their surroundings. From their realization, a system of thought further
advanced their knowledge into understanding measures. They were able to gradually develop the
science of measures and gained the ability to count, gauge, assess, quantify, and size almost
everything.
From our ancestor’s realization of measures, they were able to notice and recognize some
rudiment hints about patterns. Thus, the concept of recognizing shapes made its course towards
classifying contour and finally using those designs to build human culture: an important ingredient
for a civilization to flourish. From then, man realized that the natural world is embedded in a
magnanimously mathematical realm of patterns----and that natural order efficiently utilizes all
mathematical patterns to its advantage. As a result, we made use of mathematics as a brilliant way
to understand the nature by comprehending the structure of its underlying patterns and
regularities. Mathematics is present in everything we do; it is all around us and it is the building
block of our daily activities. It has been at the forefront of each and every period of our
development, and as our civilized societies advanced, our needs of mathematics pioneering arose on
the frontier of our course as we prepare our human species to traverse the cosmic shore.
Mathematics is a Tool
Mathematics, as a tool, is immensely useful, practical, and powerful. It is not about
crunching numbers, formulas, and symbols but rather, it is all about forming new ways to see
problems so we can understand them by combining insights with imagination. It also allows us to
perceive realities in different contexts that would otherwise be intangible to us. It can be likened to
our sense of sight and touch. Mathematics is our sense to decipher patterns, relationships, and
logical connections. It is our whole new way to see and understand the modern world.
Mathematics, being a broad and deep discipline, deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and
arrangement. Once, it was perceived merely a collective thought dealing with counting numbers,
but it is now being understood as a universal language dealing with symbols, arts, equations,
geometric shapes and patterns. Itis asserting that mathematics is a powerful tool in
decision-making and it is a way of life.
 Figure 1.1: The nature of mathematics
In the Figure 1.1 illustrated by Nocon and Nocon, it portrays the function of mathematics. As
shown, it is stated that mathematics is a set of problem-solving tools. It provides answers to
existing questions and presents solutions to occurring problems. It has the power to unveil the
reasons behind occurrences and it offers explanations. Moreover, mathematics, as a study of
patterns, allows people to observe, hypothesize, experiment, discover, and recreate. On the other
hand, mathematics is an art and a process of thinking. For it involves reasoning, which can be
inductive or deductive, and it applies methods of proof both in fashion that is conventional and
unconventional.
Mathematics is Everywhere
We use mathematics in their daily tasks and activities. It is our important tool in the field of
sciences, humanities, literature, medicine, and even in music and arts; it is in the rhythm of our
daily activities, operational in our communities, and a default system of our culture. There is
mathematics wherever we go. It helps us cook delicious meals by exacting our ability to measure
and moderately control of heat. It also helps us to shop wisely, read maps, use the computer,
remodel a home with constrained budget with utmost economy.

Source: Space Telescope Science/NASA

The Universe
Figure 1.2
 Even the cosmic perspective, the patterns in the firmament are always presented as a
mystery waiting to be uncovered by us-the sentient being. In order to unearthed this mystery, we
are challenged to investigate and deeply examine its structure and rules to the infinitesimal level.
The intertwined governing powers of cosmic mystery can only be decoded by seriously observing
and studying the irregularities, and patiently waiting for the signature of some kind interference.
It is only by observing the abundance of patterns scattered everywhere that these irregularities will
beg to be noticed. Some of them are boldly exposed in a simple and obvious manner while others
are hidden in ways that is impossible to perceive by easy to discern. While our ancestors were able
to discover the presence of mathematics in everything, it took the descendants, us, a long time to
gradually notice the impact of these patterns in the persistence of our species to rightfully exist.
The Essential Roles of Mathematics
Mathematics has countless hidden uses and applications. It is not only something that
delights our mind but it also allows us to learn and understand the natural order of the world. This
discipline was and is often studied as a pure science but it also finds its place in other areas of
perpetuating knowledge. Perhaps, science would definitely agree that, when it comes to discovering
and unveiling the truth behind the inherent secrets and occurrences of the universe, nothing visual,
verbal, or aural come close to matching the accuracy, economy, power and elegance of
mathematics. Mathematics helps us to take the complex processes that is naturally occurring in the
world around us and it represents them by utilizing logic to make things more organized and more
efficient. Further, mathematics also facilitates not only to weather, but also to control the weather
---- be it social, natural, statistical, political, or medical. Applied mathematics, which once only
used for solving problems in physics, and it is also becoming a useful tool in biological sciences: for
instance, the spread of various diseases can now be predicted and controlled. Scientists and
researchers use applied mathematics in doing or performing researches to solve social, scientific,
medical, or even political crises. It is a common fact that mathematics plays an important role in
many sciences. Itis and it provides tools for calculations. We use of calculations in other disciplines
whenever we are underrating some kind of research or experiment. The use of mathematical
calculations is indispensable method in scientifically approaching most of the problems. In a similar
way, mathematics, provides new questions to think about. Indeed, in learning and doing
mathematics, there will always be new questions to answer, new problems to solve, and new things
to think about.
The Mathematical Landscape
The human mind and culture developed a conceptual landscape for mathematical thoughts
and ideas to flourish and propagate. There is a region in the human mind that is capable
of constructing and discerning the deepest insights being perceived from the natural world. In this
region, the mathematical landscape exists- wherein concepts of numbers, symbols, equations,
operations calculations, abstractions, and proofs are the inhabitants as well as the constructs of
the impenetrable vastness of its unchartered territories. In this landscape, a number is not simply a
mathematical tree of counting. Also, infinite variables can be encapsulated to finite. Even those
something that is hard to express in decimal form can be expressed in terms of fractions. Those
things that seemed eternal can further be exploited using mathematical operations. This landscape
claimed complex numbers as the firmament and even asserted that imaginary numbers also exist.
To the low state negative numbers relentlessly enjoying recognition as existent beings. The wind in
this landscape is unpredictable that the rate of change of the rate of change of weather is known as
calculus. And beneath the surface of this mathematical landscape are firmly-woven proofs,
theorems, definitions, and axioms which are intricately “fertilized” by reasoning, analytical, critical
thinking and germicide by mathematical logic that made them precise, exact and powerful. With
this landscape, the mathematician's instinct and curiosity entice to explore further the vast tranquil
lakes of functions and impassable crevasse of the unchartered territories of abstract algebra. For to
claim ownership is to understand the ebb and flow of prime numbers. To predict the behavior of its
Fibonacci weather, to be amazed with awe and wonder the pattern less chaos of fractal clouds, and
to rediscover that after all, the numbers in mathematics is not a "thing" but a process.
Conventionally, we are just simply made ourselves comfortable on the “trinification” of those
processes and we forgot that 1+1 is not a noun but a verb.
How Mathematics is Done
Math is a way of thinking, and it is undeniably important to see how that thinking is going to
be developed rather than just merely see face value of the results. For some people, few math
theorems can bring up as much remembered pain and anxiety. For others, this discipline is so
complex and they have to understand the confusing symbols, the difficult procedures, and
the dreaded graphs and charts. Foremost, mathematics is just nothing but something to survive,
rather than to learn. To the untrained eye, doing mathematics is quite difficult and challenging. It is
ambiguous, for it follows a set of patterns, formulas, and sequences that make it more demanding
to do and to learn. It is abstract and complex ---- and for these reasons, a lot of people adopt
the belief that they are not math people. Mathematics builds upon itself. More complex concepts are
built upon simpler concepts, and if you do not have a strong grasp of the fundamental principles,
then more complex problem is more likely going to stump you. If you come across a mathematical
problem that you cannot solve, the first thing to do is to identify the components or the operations
that it wants you to carry out, and everything follows. Doing and performing mathematics is not
that simple. It is done with curiosity, with a penchant for seeking patterns and generalities, with a
desire to know the truth, with trial and error, and without fear of facing more questions and
problems to solve.
Mathematics is for Everyone
The relationship of the mathematical landscape in the human mind with the natural world is
so strange that in the long run, the good math provides utilization and usefulness in the order of
things. Perhaps, for most people, they simply need to know the basics of the mathematical
operations in order to survive daily tasks; but for the human society to survive and for the human
species to persistently exist, humanity needs, beyond rudiment of mathematics. To safeguard our
existence, we already have delegated the functions of mathematics across all disciplines. There is
mathematics we call pure and applied, as there are scientists, we call social and natural. There is
mathematics for engineers to build, mathematics for commerce and finance, mathematics for
weather forecasting, mathematics that is related to health, and mathematics to harness energy for
utilization. To simply put it, everyone uses mathematics in different degrees and levels. Everyone
uses mathematics, whoever they are, wherever they are, and whenever they need to. From
mathematicians to scientists, from professionals to ordinary people, they all use mathematics. For
mathematics puts order amidst disorder. It helps us become better persons and helps make the
world a better place to live in.
The Importance of Knowing and Learning Mathematics
Why do we want to observe and describe patterns and regularities? Why do we want to
understand the physical phenomena governing our world? Why do we want to dig out rules and
structures that lie behind patterns of the natural order? It is because those rules and structures
explain what is going on. It is because they are beneficial in generating conclusions and in
predicting events. It is because they provide clues. The clues that make us realize that interference
in the motion of heavenly bodies can predict lunar eclipse, solar eclipse as well as comets’
appearances. That the position of the sun and the moon relative to the earth can predict high tide
and low tide events affecting human activities. And that human activities need clues for the human
culture to meaningfully work. Mathematical training is vital to decipher the clues provided by
nature. But the role of mathematics goes clues and it goes beyond prediction. Once we understand
how the system works, our goal is to control it to make it do what we want. We want to understand
the mathematical pattern of a storm to avoid or prevent catastrophes. We want to know the
mathematical concept behind the contagion of the virus to control its spread. We want to
understand the unpredictability of cancer cells to combat it before it even exists. Finally, we want to
understand the butterfly effect as much as we are so curious to know why the “die” of the physical
world play God.
“Whatever the reasons, mathematics is a useful way to think about nature. What does it want to tell
us about the patterns we observe? There are many answers. We want to understand how they
happen; to understand why they happen, which is different; to organize the underlying patterns
and regularities in the most satisfying way; to predict how nature will behave; to control nature for
our own ends; to make practical use of what we have learned about our world. Mathematics helps
us to do all these things, and often, it is indispensable. “Stewart]

Mathematics in the Modern World

​ Mathematics is exhibited not only in the technologies that have dominantly influenced man’s
daily pursuits. It is practically everywhere and progresses to varying degrees of usefulness.
Mathematics is practiced not only by professionals like teachers, scientist, engineers, and
economists. Time has shown that one’s understanding of the universe continues to reach greater
bounds, and mathematics is rightfully credited for this. As a science of logical thinking,
mathematics is vital in understanding natural phenomena, human activities, and social systems.
Lesson 1. Patterns in Nature and the Regularities in the World
Patterns and Counting are correlative. Counting happens when there is pattern. When there
is counting, there is a logic. Consequently, pattern in nature goes in logic or logical set-up.
Mathematics – exists everywhere as patterns do in nature.
-​ not all about numbers
-​ is more about reasoning, making logical inferences and generalization, and seeing
relationship in both visible and invisible patterns in the natural world.
-​ Goes beyond arithmetic
-​ It is a language by which the universe is elegantly designed. Its value transcends the
intellectual, the practical and even the aesthetics standards.
Patterns – are core topics in mathematics. In fact, mathematics is also known as science of
patterns. Historically, mathematicians have dealt with two types of patterns: (1) the numeric
patterns and the (2) geometric patterns (Patterns of Shapes)
-​ can be sequential, spatial, temporal and even linguistic. The most basic patterns are the
sequence of the dates in the calendar such as 1-30 being used month after month; the seven
(7) day in a week; the 12 months and the regular holidays in a year. These are celebrated in
the same sequence every year. All these phenomena create a repetition of names or events
called regularity.
Regularity – is a fact that the same thing always happens in the same circumstances. While a
pattern is a discernible regularity in the world or in a man-made design
Patterns in Nature – are visible regularities of form found in the natural world. These patterns
include contexts and can sometimes be modelled mathematically. Natural patterns include
symmetries, fractal, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, tessellations, cracks, stripes and affine
transformation.
Geometric Pattern – is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated like a
wallpaper design.
According to Ian Stewart (1995), we live in a universe of patterns. Every night the stars move in
circles across the sky. The season cycle at yearly intervals.
Some Examples of Patterns in Nature
Symmetry – means agreement in dimensions, due proportion
and arrangement. In everyday language, it refers to a sense of
harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. In mathematics, symmetry means that an object
is invariant to any of various transformations including reflection, rotation and scaling. (Examples:
Starfish, Butterfly, Broccoli, Shell, Human, Animals, Plants, Honeycomb, Peacock, Jellyfish,
Flowers, Sunflowers, Spider web/circular web, Mushroom, Snowflakes, Total Solar Eclipse, Trees,
Leaves, Lungs)
A spiral is a curve which emanates from a point, moving
farther away as it revolves around the point.
Examples: Pineapples, Pinecones, Hurricanes, Snail shell,
snake, Galaxies, ferns, Whirlpool, Curly Hair, Typhoon, Stom,
Sunflowers, Trees, Seed heads, Shell.​

A meander is a one of a series of regular sinuous curves,

bends, loops, turns, or windings in the channel of a river,
stream, or other watercourse. It produced by a stream or river
swinging from side to side as it flows across its floodplain or
shifts its channel within a valley.​

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through matter

or space, with little or no associated mass transport. Waves
consist oscillations or vibrations of a physical medium or a
field, around relatively fixed locations. Surfaces waves in water
show water ripples.

A foam is a substance formed by trapping pockets of gas in a

liquid or solid. A bath sponge and the head on a glass of beer
are examples of foams. In most foams, the volume of gas is
large, with thin films or liquid or solid separating the regions of
gas. Soap foams are also known as suds.

A tessellation of a flat surface is the tiling of a plane using one

or more geometric shapes, called tiles, with no overlaps and no
gaps. In mathematics, tessellations can be generalized to
higher dimensions and a variety of geometrics.

A fracture or crack is the separation of an object or material

into two or more pieces under the action of stress. The
fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of
certain displacement discontinuity surfaces within the solid.
If a displacement develops perpendicular to the surface of
displacement, it is called a normal tensile crack or simply a
crack; if a displacement develops tangentially to the surface
of displacement, it is called a shear crack, slip band, or
dislocation.

Stripes are made by a series of bands or strips, often of the

same width and color along the length.
 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.

Affine Transformation – These are the processes of rotation,

reflection and scaling. Many plant forms utilize these
processes to generate their structure. In the case of Broccoli
and Cauliflower heads, it can readily be seen that there is a
type of pattern, which also shows some spiraling in the case of
Broccoli.
What is happening in Cauliflower head is perhaps not so
obvious but in the case of a fern the rotating pattern is very
evident. Each branch appears to be a smaller version of the main plant and so on, at smaller scales.
The following pictures show patterns and regularities in nature.

Lesson 2: Fibonacci Sequence

Another one in this world that involves pattern is a Fibonacci Number (Grist, 2011). These numbers
are nature’s numbering system. They appear everywhere in nature, from the arrangement in plants,
to the patterns of the florets of the flowers, the bracts of a pinecone, or the scales of a pineapple.
The Fibonacci numbers are therefore applicable to the growth of every living thing, including single
cell, a grain of wheat, a hive of bees and even all of mankind.
In mathematics, the Fibonacci are the number in the following integers sequence, called Fibonacci
Sequence, and characterized by the fact that every number after the first two is the sum of the two
preceding ones.
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144…………………………….
The first 6 Fibonacci Numbers Fn for n = 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5………….
F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6
0 1 1 2 3 5 8

Let’s Draw a Fibonacci Spiral. Get a piece of graphing paper and pencil then follow the steps.
Instructions: Using the graphing paper, you will now create a spiral. You need to estimate which
square you will start (not in the middle). You may also extend your graphing paper to make it bigger
if you have a bigger space in your work area.
​ Step 1. Draw a square that measures one square unit.
​ Step 2. Draw a second square of one square unit to the right (R) of the square.
​ Step 3. Draw a 2x2 square above (A) the squares just drawn; making sure that one side of
your squares is the length of the two squares just drawn.
​ Step 4. Draw a 3x3 to the left (L) of the other three squares.
​ Step 5. Draw a 5x5 below (B) the squares.
​ Step 6. Continue this pattern (R-A-L-B) until you have filled up the graphing paper with same
number of squares as a side for the next set of squares.
​ Step 7. To create the spiral, you need to draw an arc starting on the inside of the initial
square and have it pass from one corner to the next so that it is continuously passing each new
square from corner to corner.
​ ​ ​ … and you will have something like this! Great work! Keep on going …

George Dvorsky (2013) highlighted that the famous Fibonacci sequence has captivated
mathematicians, artists, designers, and scientists for centuries. Also known as the Golden Ratio, its
ubiquity and astounding functionality in nature suggests its importance as a fundamental
characteristic of the universe. Leonardo Fibonacci came up with the sequence when calculating the
expansion pairs of rabbits over the course of one year. Today, its emergent patterns and ratios (Phi
= 1.61803….) can be seen from the microscale to the macroscale, and the right through to biological
systems and inanimate objects. While the Golden Ratios doesn’t account every structure or pattern
in the universe, it’s certainly a major player. Here are some examples:
1.​ Seed heads. The head of the flower is also a subject to
Fibonaccian processes. Typically, seeds are produced at the
center, and then migrate towards the outside to fill all the
space. Sunflowers provide a great example of these spiraling
patterns.​
 2.​ Pine Cones. Similarly, the seeds pods on a pinecone are
arranged in a spiral pattern. Each cone consists of a pair of
spirals, each one spiraling upwards in opposing directions. The
number of steps will almost always match a pair of consecutive
Fibonacci numbers. For example, a 3-5 cone is a cone which
meets at the back after three steps along the left spiral, and five
steps along the right.

3.​ Tree branches

The Fibonacci sequence can also be seen in the way tree branches
form or split. A main trunk will grow until it produces a branch, which
creates two growth points. Then, one of the new stems’ branches into
two, while the other one lies dormant. This pattern of branching is
repeated for each of for each of the new stems.
4.​ Shells. The unique
properties of the golden rectangle provide another
example. This shape, a rectangle in which the ratio of
the sides a/b is equal to the golden mean (phi), can
result in a nesting process that can be repeated into
infinity – and which takes on the form of a spiral. It’s
called the logarithmic spiral, and it bounds in nature.

5.​ Spiral Galaxies and Hurricane. Not surprisingly, spiral

galaxies also follow the familiar Fibonacci pattern. The Milky Way
has spiral arms, each of them a logarithmic spiral of about 12
degrees. As an interesting aside, spiral galaxies appear to defy
Newtonian Physics.

Lesson 3: Importance of Mathematics in Life

​ According to Katie Kim (2015), Math is a subject that makes students either jump for joy or
rip their hair out. However, math is inescapable as you become an adult in the real world.
1.​ Restaurant Tipping. After you have finished eating at the restaurant, it is common courtesy
to pay your waiter a generous tip. You need to have the most basic math skills to calculate
how much a 15% or 20% tip would be. Tipping your waiter shows your appreciation for his
service and ultimately benefits the restaurant, too.
2.​ Netflix Film Viewing. Let’s say you have approximately one hour until you have to leave to
go somewhere very important, like your job or your grandmother’s birthday party.
3.​ Calculating Bills. If you aren’t already, we will all be home-owners and car-owners one day.
With ownership comes the major responsibility of staying on the top of mandatory payments
like taxes, mortgage, and insurance. Math is required to calculate these payments and
subtract them from your savings.
4.​ Computing Test Scores. It is towards the end of May, and for all high school students, the
school year is coming to an end very soon. That also means final report cards will be coming
out.
 5.​ Tracking Career. Math is needed for almost every single profession in the world. If you want
to be a CEO, a real estate agent, a biologist, or even a rocket scientist, it is without a doubt
that numbers will be utilized. Basically, you will never be able to escape math and you might
as accept it and have fun learning it while your career does not depend on it.
6.​ Doing Exercises. Getting in shape and staying fits means achieving your health goals!
Maybe you want to meet a personal goal by the end of the month. You need math to know
how many more reps to curl, or how many seconds to cut off your mile time, or how many
more pounds to lose to achieve that goal.
7.​ Handling Money. Another aspect of growing up into a young adult is opening and managing
back account. It is important to be accurate in math to care for your precious savings,
making sure there are no mistakes.
8.​ Making Countdowns. For many, this will be most important reason on the list to know
math: so that you can countdown the days until school is over and summer starts!
9.​ Baking and Cooking. Baking and Cooking are hobbies enjoyed by many. In order to prevent
unexpected results, you have to know the difference between a quarter of a cup from a
quarter of a teaspoon. Baking + cooking = Fraction = math.
10.​ Surfing Internet. Ultimately, without math, how would you be reading this article online
at this moment? How would you able to tweet to your friends or post on Instagram from last
night? We have math to thank for establishing technology and the social media that
consumes our lives.
Lesson 4: Nature of Mathematics
It is important to further discuss the nature of Mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed,
represented and used.
According to the American Association for Advancement of Science (1990), Mathematics
relies on both logic and creativity, and it is pursued both for a variety of practical purposes and for
its intrinsic interest. For some people, and not only professional mathematicians, the essence of
mathematics lies in its beauty and its intellectual challenge.
1.​ Patterns and Relationships
Mathematics is the science of patterns and relationships. As a theoretical discipline, mathematics,
explores the possible relationships among abstractions without concern for whether those
abstractions have counterparts in the real world. The abstractions can be anything form strings of
numbers to geometric figures to sets of equations.
2.​ Mathematics, Science and Technology
Mathematics is abstract. Its function goes along well with Science and Technology. Because
of its abstractness, mathematics is universal in a sense that other fields of human thought are not.
It finds useful application in business, industry, music, historical scholarship, politics, sports,
medicine, agriculture, engineering, and the social and natural science.
3.​ Mathematical Inquiry
​ Normally, are confronted with problems. In order to live a peace, these problems must be
solved. Using mathematics to express ideas or to solve problems involves at least phases:(1)
representing some aspects of things abstractly, (2) manipulating the abstractions by rules of logic to
find new relationships between them, and (3) seeing whether the new relationship say something
useful about the original things.
4.​ Abstraction and Symbolic Representation
Mathematical thinking often begins with the process of abstraction that is, noticing a
similarity between two or more objects or events. Aspects that they have in common, whether
concrete or hypothetical, can be represented by symbols such as numbers, letters, or other mark,
diagrams, geometrical constructions, or even words. Whole numbers are abstractions that represent
the size of sets of things and event or the order of things within a set.
5.​ Manipulating Mathematical Statements
After abstractions have been made and symbolic representations of them have been selected,
those symbols can be combined and recombined in various ways according to precisely defined
rules. Typically, strings of symbols are combined into statements that express ideas or propositions.
6.​ Application
Mathematical processes can lead to a kind of model of a thing, from which insights can be
gained about the things itself. Any mathematical relationships arrived at by manipulating abstract
statements may or may not convey something truthful about the thing being modeled.
Lesson 5: The Role of Mathematics in Some Disciplines
​ Mathematics is offered in any college course. It is found in every curriculum because its
theories and applications are needed in any workplace. That’s why students can’t stay away from
attending math classes. There has to be mathematics in the real world. This subject always brings
life to any person or professional. Every second of the day needs mathematical knowledge and skills
to perform academic activities and office routines. If ordinary people have to use math, then much
more for students to know and master it so they will succeed in class in the school.
As posted by Angel Rathnabai (2014), Mathematics is not only number work or computation,
but is more about forming generalization, seeing relationships, and developing logical thinking and
reasoning.
Here are some main disciplines in which the role of Mathematics is widely accepted:
1.​ Mathematics in Physical Sciences
In Physics, every rule and principle take the mathematical form ultimately. Mathematics gives a
final shape to the rules of Physics. It presents them in a workable form. Mathematical computations
occur at every step-in physics.
The unit of measurement are employed to substances in Physics as frequently as I Mathematics.
The Chare’s law of expansion of gases is based upon mathematical calculations.
2.​ Mathematics in Chemistry
Math is extremely important in physical chemistry especially in advanced topics such as quantum
or statistical mechanics. Quantum relies heavily on group theory and linear algebra requires
knowledge of mathematical/ physical topics such as Hilbert spaces and Hamiltonian operators.
Statistical mechanics relies heavily on probability theory. Other fields of Chemistry also use of a
significant amount of math.
3.​ Mathematics in Biological Sciences
Biomathematics is a fertile field with open, challenging and fascination problems in the areas of
mathematical genetics, mathematical ecology, mathematical neuron-physiology, development of
computer software for special biological and medical problems, mathematical theory of epidemics,
use of mathematical programming and reliability theory in biosciences and mathematical problems
in biomechanics, bioengineering and bioelectronics.
4.​ Mathematics in Engineering and Technology
The use of mathematics of engineering is very well known. It is considered to be the foundation of
engineering. Engineering deals with surveying, levelling, designing, estimating, construction etc.…,
In all these processes, application of mathematics is very important. By the application of geometric
principles to design and constructions, the durability of things constructed can be increased. With
its help, results can often be verified in engineering.
Mathematics has played an important role in the development of mechanical, civil, aeronautical and
chemical engineering through its contributions to mechanics if rigid bodies, hydro-dynamics,
aero-dynamics, heat transfer, lubrication, turbulence, elasticity and others.
5.​ Mathematics and Agriculture
Agriculture is a science depends extensively on mathematics. It needs a direct application of
mathematics, such as measurement of land area, average investment and expenditure, average
return or income, time and work, seed rate etc. Progress of the farm can be judged by drawing
graphs of different items in production.
6.​ Mathematics and Economics
The level of mathematical literacy required for personal and social activities is continually
increasing. Mastery of the fundamental processes is necessary for clear thinking. The social
sciences are also beginning to draw heavily upon mathematics. Mathematical language and
methods are used frequently in describing economic phenomena.
7.​ Mathematics and Psychology
The great educationalist Herbart said, “it is not only possible, but necessary that mathematics be
applied to Psychology”. Now, experimental psychology has become highly mathematical due to its
concern with such factors as intelligence quotient, standard deviation, mean, median, mode,
correlation coefficients and probable errors. Statistical analysis is the only reliable method of
attacking social and psychological phenomena. Until mathematicians entered into the field of
psychology, it was nothing but a flight of imagination.
8.​ Mathematics and Actuarial Science, Insurance and Finance
Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to make financial sense of the future. For example, if an
organization embarks on a large project, an actuary may analyze the project, assess the financial
risks involved, model the future financial outcomes and advise organization on the decisions to be
made. Much of their work is on pensions, ensuring funds stay solvent long the future, when current
workers have retired.
9.​ Mathematics and Archaeology
Archaeologists use a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques to present the data from
archaeological surveys and try to distinguish patterns in their results that shed light on past
human behavior. statistical measures are used during excavation to monitor which pits are most
successful and decide on further excavation. Finds are analyzed using statistical and numerical
methods to spot patterns in the way the archaeological record changes over time, and
geographically within a site and across the country. Archaeologists also use statistics to test the
reliability of their interpretations
10.​ Mathematics and Logic
D’ Alembert says, ‘’Geometry is a practical logic, because in it, rules of reasoning are applied in the
simplest and sensible manner’’. Pascal says, ‘’logic has barrowed the rules of geometry; the method
of avoiding error is sought by everyone. The logicians profess to lead the way, the geometers alone
reach it, and aside from their science there is no true demonstrations”.
11.​ Mathematics in Music
Leibnitz, the great mathematician said, - “Music is a hidden exercise in arithmetic of mind
unconscious of dealing with numbers”. Pythagoras said “Where harmony is, there are numbers”.
Calculations are the roots of all sorts of advancement in different disciplines. The rhythm that we
find in all music notes is the results of innumerable permutations and combinations of SAPTSWAR.
Music theorists often use mathematics to understand musical structure and communicate new
ways of hearing music. This has led musical applications of set theory, abstract algebra, and
number theory.
12.​ Mathematics in Arts
“Mathematics and art are just two different languages that can be used to express the same ideas”.
It is considered that the universe is written in the languages of mathematics, and its characters are
triangles, circles, and other geometric figures. The old Goethe Architecture was based on geometry.
Even the Egyptian pyramids, the greatest feat of human architecture and engineering, was based on
mathematics. Artists who strive and seek to study nature must therefore first fully understand
mathematics. Appreciation of rhythm, proportion, balance and symmetry postulates a mathematical
mind.
13.​ Mathematics in Philosophy
The function of mathematics in the development of philosophical thought has been very aptly put
by the great educationist Herbart, in his words, “the real finisher of education is Philosophy, but it
is the office of mathematics to ward off the dangers of Philosophy”. Mathematics occupies a central
place between natural Philosophy and mental Philosophy. It was in their search of distinction
between fact and fiction that Plato and other thinkers came under the influence of Mathematics.
14.​ Mathematics in Social Networks
Graph theory, text analysis, multidimensional scaling and clusters analysis, and a variety of
specials models are some mathematical techniques used in analyzing data on a variety of social
networks.
15.​ Mathematics in Political Science
In mathematical Political science, we analyze past election results to see changes in voting patterns
and the influence of various factors on voting behaviors, on switching of votes among political
parties and mathematical models for conflict resolution. Here we use game theory.
16.​ Mathematics in Linguistics
The concept of structure and transformation are as important for linguistics as they are for
mathematics. Development of machine languages and comparison with natural and artificial
language require a high degree of mathematical ability. Information theory, mathematical body,
mathematical psychology etc. are all needed in the study of linguistics. Mathematics has had a
great influence on research in literature. In deciding whether a given poem or easy could have been
written by a particular poet or author, we can compare all the characteristics of the given
composition with the characteristics of the poet or other works of the author with the help of the
computer.
17.​ Mathematics in Management
Mathematics in management is a great challenge to imaginative minds. It is not meant for the
routine thinkers. Different mathematical models are being used to discuss management problems of
hospitals, public health, pollution, educational planning and administration and similar other
problems of social decision. In order to apply mathematics to management, one must know the
mathematical techniques and the conditions under which these techniques are applicable.
18.​ Mathematics in Computers
An important area of applications of mathematics is in the development of formal mathematical
theories related to the development of the computer science. Now most applications of mathematics
to science and technology today via computers. The foundations of computer science are based only
on mathematics. It includes, logic, relations, functions, basic set theory, countability and counting
arguments, proof techniques, mathematical induction, graph theory, combinatory, discrete
probability, recursion, recurrence relations, and number theory, computer oriented numerical
analysis, operation research techniques, modern management techniques like simulation, monte
Carlo program, Evaluation Research Technique, Critical path method, development of new
computer languages, study of artificial intelligence, development of automata theory and etc.
19.​ Mathematics in Geography
Geography is nothing but a scientific and mathematical description of our earth in its universe. The
dimension and magnitude of earth, its dimension and position in the universe the formation of days
and nights, lunar and solar eclipse s, latitude and longitude, maximum and minimum rainfall, etc.
are some of the numerous learning areas of geography which need the application of mathematics.

Lesson 6: Appreciating Mathematics as a Human Endeavor

​ In order to appreciate mathematics much better, every person should have the thorough
understanding of the disciplines as a human endeavor. Mathematics brings impact to the life a
learner, worker, or an ordinary man in society. The influences of mathematics affect anytime for a
lifetime. Mathematics works in the life of all professionals.
Mathematics is appreciated as human endeavors because all professionals and ordinary people
apply its theories and concepts in the office, laboratory and marketplace. According to Mark
Karadimos (2018), the following professions use mathematics in their scope and field of work:

Accountants assist businesses by working on their taxes and planning for upcoming years. They
work with tax codes and forms, use formulas for calculating interest, and spend a considerable
amount of energy organizing paperwork.
Agriculturists determine the proper amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to produce
bountiful amounts of foods. They must be familiar with chemistry and mixture problems.
Architects design building for structural integrity and beauty. They must know how to calculate
loads for finding acceptable materials in design which involve calculus.
Biologists study in nature to act in concert with it since we are very closely tied to nature. They use
proportions to count animals as well as use statistics/probability.
Chemists find ways to use chemicals to assist people in purifying water, dealing with waste
management, researching superconductors, analyzing crime scenes, making food product and in
working in biologist to study human body.
Computer Programmers create complicated sets of instructions called programs/software to help
us use computers to solve problems. They must have a strong sense of logic and have critical
thinking and problem-solving skills.
Engineers (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Material) build products/ structure /systems like
automobiles, buildings, computers, machines, and planes, to name just a few examples. They
cannot escape the frequent use of variety of calculus. Geologists use mathematical models to find
oil and study earthquakes.
Lawyers argues cases using complicated lines or reason. That skill is nurtured by high level math
courses. They also spend a lot of time researching cases, which means learning relevant codes, laws
and ordinances. Building cases demands a strong sense of language with specific emphasis on
hypothesis and conclusions.
Managers maintain schedules, regulate worker performance, and analyze productivity.
Medical Doctors must understand the dynamics systems of the human body. They research
illnesses, carefully administer the proper amounts of medicine, read charts/ tables, and organize
their workload and manage the duties nurses and technicians.
Meteorologists forecast the weather for agriculturists, pilots, vacationers, and those who are
marine-dependent. They read maps, work with computer models, and understand the mathematical
laws of Physics.
Military Personnel carry out a variety of tasks ranging from aircrafts maintenance to following
detailed procedures. Tacticians utilize a branch of mathematics called linear programming.
Nurses carry out the detailed instructions doctors given them. They adjust intravenous drip rates,
takes vital, dispense medicine, and even assist in operations.
Politicians help solve the social problems of our time by making complicated decisions with the
confines of the law, public opinion, and (hopefully) budgetary restraints.
Salespeople typically work on commission and operate under a buy low, sell high profit model.
Their job requires good interpersonal skills and the ability to estimate basic math problems without
the need of paper/pencil.
Technician repair and maintain the technical gadgets we depend on like computers, televisions,
DVDs, cars, refrigerators. They always read measuring devices, referring to manuals, and
diagnosing system problems.
Tradesmen (carpenters, electricians, mechanics, and plumbers) estimate job costs and use
technical math skills specific to their field. They deal with slopes, areas, volumes, distances and
must have an excellent foundation in math.
To realize the love for and interest mathematics, Annenberg Learner (2017), shared the
following notes that mathematics is everywhere and is always an integral part of human endeavor.
How can math be so universal? According to Annenberg Learner, first, human beings didn’t invent
math concepts; we discovered them. Math can help us to shop wisely, buy the right insurance,
remodel a home within a budget, understand the population growth, or even bet on the horse with
the best chance of winning the race.
Mathematics is the only language shared by all human beings regardless of culture, religion,
or gender. Pi is still approximately 3.14159 regardless of what country you are in. Adding up the
cost of a basket full of groceries involves the same math process regardless of the whether the total
is expressed in dollars, rubles, or yen. With the universal language, all for us, no matter what our
unit of exchange, are likely to arrive at math results the same way”.
Being fast in mental arithmetic can save your money when you go to the market.
Mathematics is all around us.
With these, mathematics can be a great aid in all our activities in the world and deserves
huge appreciation and therefore everyone realizes the following:
1.​ Mathematics helps organize patterns and regularities.
2.​ Mathematics helps predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in the world.
3.​ Mathematics helps control nature and occurrences in the world for our ends.
 4.​ Mathematics has numerous applications in the world making it indispensable.

In a one whole sheet of paper

Answer the following questions (5-10 sentences).
1.​ What are the new things that you learned about the nature of mathematics?
2.​ What aspect of the lesson significant changed your view about mathematics?
3.​ What is the most important contribution of mathematics in humankind?

IS MATHEMATICS INVENTED OR DISCOVERED?