Module in Patterns-And-Numbers-In-Nature

Mathematics in our world
Patterns and numbers in nature
Lesson I. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

Objectives:
In this lesson, the students are expected to:
1. Identify the different patterns and numbers in nature

2. Solve simple problems involving patterns
3. Appreciate patterns and numbers in nature
Lesson Proper:
In the general sense of the word patterns are regular, repeated, or recurring
forms or designs. We have encountered pattern problems when we were in grade
school. Usually these are the topics that were discussed before we go to deeper
discussions in mathematics. That is because mathematics includes not only numbers
but also shapes, figures, letters and others. Let try this;
What do you think will be the next figure in the sequence? We can see that the
figure above follow an alternating sun and star pattern, thus the next figure
should be a
Example 1. What comes next?
A B C
Solution:
Looking at the figures, you will notice that the number of horizontal lines from
the first figure to succeeding figure decreases by one. But the total numbers of lines
remain 6. You will also notice that the figure is actually forming a hexagon or a six
sided figure. The decrease in horizontal line goes to the slanting line attached at the
Christine H. Ferolino
right side of the bottom horizontal line, then to the left side, another line to the right
side. Base from this observation, B and C cannot be the correct answer since B has a
total of 7 lines while C do not follow the pattern of putting the line on the right side
first then to the left. Thus, the next figure is A because it follows the observed patterns.
The above patterns are the usual discussion in mathematics, but actually
there’s more to that pattern. Let me introduce you to the different patterns in nature
and the world and how it is related to mathematics. As Ian Stewart stated in his book
titled Nature Numbers, says that “Mathematics is a universe of patterns”
Patterns in nature are visible regular forms found in the natural world. The
patterns can sometimes be modelled mathematically and they include symmetries,
trees, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, tessellations, cracks, and stripes.
Types of Patterns in Nature
Symmetry indicates that you can draw an imaginary line across an object and
the resulting parts are mirror images of each other. There are two types of symmetry,
reflective and rotational symmetry.
Reflective symmetry means that one half of an image is the mirror image of the
other half. It also sometimes referred to as line or bilateral symmetry.
Figure 1. A figure symmetric about the axis indicated by the dotted line
Animals mainly have reflective symmetry, leaves and other plants and flowers
also have this type of symmetry. Bilateral symmetry is also evident in humans. Look
into a mirror and see how the left and the right side of your face or body are the same.
Figure 2. Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man showing the proportions and symmetry of
the human body
(“File:Vitruvianischer Mann.jpg” by Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Vitruvian Man was created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1492, it is based
on an explanation written by Vitruvius, it represents the perfect proportions of the
human being. Vitruvius also wrote that a building should be symmetric and
proportionated to be beautiful. Both attributes can be found in nature and there’s no
more perfect nature example in symmetry and proportion than the human body.
Rotational symmetry means that the object or image can be turned around a
center point and match itself some number of times. Included in this type are three –
fold symmetry, four – fold symmetry, five – fold symmetry and six – fold symmetry.
Take a look at the following figures.
Figure 3. This red trillium have a Figure 4. This flower have a five
- fold
three- fold symmetry . symmetry . Photo courtesy of my MMW
Photo courtesy of Don Komarechka
students (1st sem 2019
-2020)
The angle of rotational symmetry is the smallest angle for which the figure can
be rotated to coincide with itself. The order of symmetry is the number of times the
figure coincides with itself as it rotates through 360°. To compute the angle of rotation
we have the formula:
, where in n is the order of symmetry
Consider the image of a red trillium above, since it is a three-fold symmetry the
angle of rotation is computed as = 120°.
Fractals was discovered in 1975 by Benoit Mandelbrot and described as “self

similar”. Its shape is similar regardless of the magnification. Fractals are created by
starting in a simple shape and duplicate it again and again and again. We see fractals
in nature. A fern is a good example of fractals; its frond is a miniature replica of the
whole.
CHFerolino Figure 6. Cast of human lungs, showing blood

Figure 5. Fern, a plant that is made up of vessels on one side. Photo courtesy of Ewald Weibel,
Institute of Anatomy, University of Berne.
the same pattern at different scales .
One of the most well-known examples of the biological fractal is the lung,
which was identified as a fractal by Mandelbrot himself. Natural fractals include
clouds, trees, snowflakes, blood vessels, lightning, river networks and coastlines.
CHFerolino
Figure 7. Tree, its branch, from the Figure 8. Cloud -to-ground lightning
trunk to the tips, is a copy of the discharge showing a bright main channel
one that came before it. and secondary branches. Copyright John
Cancalosi. (britannica.com)
The spiral pattern are common in plants and in some animals, notably mollusks
and also in human, the earth and the galaxies. The spiral has universal appeal and has
a mysterious resonance with the human spirit; it is complex yet simple, intriguing and
beautiful. Here are some examples of spirals in nature.
Figure 9. Millipedes form a spiral Figure 11. Cacti and succulents form spirals similar
when it is in a defensive coil to those of sunflowers and nautilus shells
(www.magickcanoe.com/millipede/n
arceus-spiral-sm.jpg)
CHFerolin
Figure 10. Vine Tendrils of Patola (left) and Ampalya (right) plant.
Many cacti and succulents form spirals similar to those of sunflowers and
nautilus shells. Spiral leaf arrangements funnel rain to roots, and keep upper leaves
from shading lower ones. Millipedes form a spiral when it is in a defensive coil. Vines
have tendrils and as these vines grow their stems twist in spiral form. Some vines that
climb by tendrils are cucumbers, squash and many more.
Meanders are sinuous bends in rivers or other channels, which form as a fluid,
most often water, flows around bends. Agusan river is the longest river in the
Philippines, it meanders through the valley floor at a general NW- trend.
Figure 12. Agusan River in the North- Eastern part of Mindanao.

Photo Courtesy of Len Jingco from pinterest.ph
Waves are disturbances that carry energy as they move. Mechanical waves
propagate through a medium- air or water, making it oscillates as they pass by. The
wave pattern is most often seen when looking at the ocean from above. However, you
can also see wave patterns in grass as the wind blows through it.
Figure 13. Rizal Beach in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines.

Photo courtesy of Felisa Marbella
Figure 14. La Paz Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

Photo courtesy of Ricky Artigas
Tessellations are patterns formed by repeating tiles all over a flat surface. The
arrays of hexagonal cells in a honeycomb or the diamond shape in a pineapple are
natural examples of tessellation patterns.
Figure 15. Honeycomb.

st
Photo courtesy of my MMW students (1 sem 2019-2020) Figure 16. Pineapple
Tessellations in nature are often not very regular in structure, and no real
world tessellation strictly meets the mathematical definition of tessellations.
Patterns are also seen in the external appearance of the animals. Tigers have a
distinctive reddish – orange fur and dark stripes like some of our cats here in the
Philippines.
st
Figure 17. Cat. Photo courtesy of my MMW students (1 sem 2019-
2020)
A study in 2012 reports that the gene that produces the striking dark stripes
on tabby cats is also responsible for the spots on cheetahs and a mutation of this same
gene causes the stripes in cats and spots on cheetahs to become blotchy
The researchers used DNA samples and tissue samples from feral cats in
Northern California, along with small skin biopsies and blood samples from captive
and wild South African and Namibian cheetahs. The scientists also discovered a
second gene, Edn3, that controls hair color in the cats’ coat patterns.
World Population
As of 2017, it is estimated that the world population is about 7.6 billion and is
expected to reach 8 billion in 2023 according to the United Nations. World leaders,
sociologist, and anthropologist are interested in studying population, including its
growth. Mathematics can be used to model population growth. Recall that the formula
for exponential growth is A = Pert, where A is the size of the population after it grows,
P is the initial number of people, r is the rate of growth, and t is the time, while e is the
Euler’s constant with an approximate value of 2,718.
Example. Population Growth

The exponential growth model A = 30e0.02t describes the population of a city in the
Philippines in thousands, t years after 1995.
a. What was the population of the city in 1995?
b. What will be the population in 2017?
Solution:
a. Since our exponential growth model describes the population t years after
1995, we consider 1995 as t =0 and then solve for A. Substituting the values,
we have
A = 30e0.02t
A = 30e0.02(0) Therefore the city population in
A = 30e0 1995 is 30, 000.
A = 30(1)
A = 30
b. Since we’re looking for the population in 2017, we find first the value for t, We
subtract 2017 and 1995, we get t = 22. Substituting the values to the formula,
we have
A = 30e0.02t
A = 30e0.02(22) Therefore, the population of the
city in 2017 is 46, 581.
A = 30e0.44
A = 30(1.55271)
A = 46.5813
References
 Natural Patterns. www.ecstep.com

 Spirals in Nature. www. originalbeauty.wordpress.com
 www.magickcanoe.com/millipede/narceus-spiral-sm.jpg
 https://fractalfoundation.org/OFC/OFC-1-2.html:
 Patterns in Nature. (wikipedia.org)
 File:Vitruvianischer Mann.jpg” by Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) is licensed
under CC BY-SA 3.0
 https://flickr.com/photos/11139979@N06/5656419296
 www.britannica.com
 Patterns in nature: Spots, Stripes, Fingers, and Toes, www.
Scienceworld.ca
 https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/science/the-gene-
behindcheetahs-spots-and-tabbies-stripes.html
 Aufmann, R., Lockwood, J., Nation, R. and Clegg, D.,(2018) Mathematics in
the Modern World, Rex Book Store Inc. Manila, Philippines

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Mathematics in our world

Patterns and numbers in nature

Lesson I. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

In this lesson, the students are expected to:

1. Identify the different patterns and numbers in nature

Example 1. What comes next?

Types of Patterns in Nature

, where in n is the order of symmetry

Fractals was discovered in 1975 by Benoit Mandelbrot and described as “self

CHFerolino Figure 6. Cast of human lungs, showing blood

Figure 12. Agusan River in the North- Eastern part of Mindanao.

Figure 13. Rizal Beach in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines.

Figure 14. La Paz Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

Figure 15. Honeycomb.

Example. Population Growth

 Natural Patterns. www.ecstep.com

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