Lesson 1 – Week 1 -- GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

What is Mathematics?
“We have developed a formal system of thought for reorganizing, classifying, and exploring patterns
called mathematics.” (Stewart, p. 1)
Most of us have a skewed relationship with math: we hate it for its drudgery or love it for its
consistency, but usually we don’t have a sense of the whole picture. In truth, mathematics is an art. It’s
easy to lose sight of the elegance in the midst of technical details, especially when aesthetics, motivation,
and simplicity – the core values of mathematics – are absent from typical math courses.
Mathematics is the art of patterns and connections embedded in nature and in our environment.

Can you observe some patterns in this picture? What can

you say about those patterns?

What about in this picture, what patterns do you see?

There is an organized pattern to explain such phenomena and this is

through Mathematics. It explains not only regularities but also irregularities and complexities in our
world. It simplifies complex things by organizing patterns. It shows that there is a line that connected
everyone to one another and to nature.
We can use the following concept map in defining Mathematics.

Study of
patterns

Art Language

Mathmamatics
is a/an

Set of
problem- Process of
solving thinking
tools

Where is Mathematics?
 Lesson 1 – Week 1 -- GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

We can see mathematics everywhere in this world though we sometimes ignore its presence.
Everybody enjoys nature however, not everyone in interested in exploring more intensely mathematical
idea in it.
To be able to see Mathematics, we have to observe to notice hints and clues: in nature, In our
daily routine, In our work, In people, and communities, and In events.
The Fibonacci Numbers
A Fibonacci number is an integer in the infinite
sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, … of which the first two
terms are 1 and 1 and each succeeding term is the sum of
the two immediately preceding. The numbers are named
after Fibonacci, also known as Leonardo of Pisa or
Leonardo Pisano.

Though initially studied using the growing population of

rabbits by Fibonacci, studies showed that these numbers are also embedded on the leaf arrangement in
plants, a field of study known as phyllotaxis. Spiraling patterns on pinecones, sunflowers and the
hexagonally-shaped scales of pineapples also showed Fibonacci number patterns.

The Golden Mean (“phi”)

 Lesson 1 – Week 1 -- GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

The Golden Mean is a special number found by dividing in a line into two parts so that the longer
part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part.
It is often symbolized using phi (Ø), after the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet.
In an equation form, it looks like this:
a a+b
=
b a
Looking at the patterns of numbers of numbers in the Fibonacci sequence, one can observe that
the radio of two successive numbers in the sequences always approach a special approximated value of
1.6180339 which is the golden mean symbolized by phi (Ø).
The number of petals in flowers, spiraling pattern of seed heads like in a sunflower, pinecones,
tree branches, shells, the spiraling pattern of galaxies, hurricanes, human face and fingers, animal bodies,
and even the DNA molecules are just few examples that exhibits the golden ratio (Dvorsky, 2013). NASA
released findings in 2003 that the shape of Universe is a dodecahedron based on phi (Meisner 2015).
Golden ratio had also been linked to different works of man since the ancient time down to the present
scenario.

Fractals
A fractal is a rough or fragmented
geometric shape that be subdivided on parts,
each of which is (at least approximately) a
reduced size copy of the whole. (B.
Mandlebrot)
Stewart (1995) said that “life itself is
a process of symmetry creation”. The
universe creates and replicates these
patterns.
The symmetry may be broken on
one thing but part of it is still there and
creates a pattern which makes nature more
beautiful and fascinating.
Fractals are formed from these
examples of chaotic equation in our universe.
From infinite complexity comes simple
equations that will generate random patterns
that are unique and recognizable (Macnally,
2010).
Sample illustrations of fractals in
nature are the Romanesco broccoli, wherein
each of the smaller buds is made up even
 Lesson 1 – Week 1 -- GEC 104 – Mathematics in the Modern World

smaller buds, the spirals of pinecone seeds, that cactus plant, the formation of three branches and their
leaves, river maps water drops and bubbles (Gunther, 2013). Other examples are the nautilus, fruits like
the pineapple, plants like the fern and the Queen Anne’s lace, the snowflake, the lightning pattern, the
feather of peacock, formation of clouds, underground crystals, shorelines and mountain ranges, and sea
urchins and sea stars (Ecoist).

What is Mathematics For?

The proof of mathematics existence in nature and in our world implies that it is significant to human.
The following are only some of its importance:

 Mathematics help us unravel the puzzles of nature, organizes patterns and regularities as well as
irregularities, and enables us to make predictions. Mathematics helps us control weather and
epidemics Mathematics provides tools for calculations, and provides new questions to think
about.
What is Mathematics About?
The following concepts tell what mathematics is about.

 Numbers, symbols, notations

 Operations, equations, and functions
 Processes and “thingfication” (The fact or process of turning something into a thing; reification. -
http://www.yourdictionary.com/thingfication.)
Proof – a story rather than a sequence of statements.
How is Mathematics Done?
Mathematics is done with curiosity, with a penchant for seeking patterns and generalities, with
the desire to know the truth, with trial and error, without fear of facing more questions and problems to
solve.
Why is Mathematics Important to Know/Learn?
Everyone agrees that learning math can be difficult, but some people believe math is important
and some people believe math is not important (Bianco,2015). Math is important for many reasons and
few of these reasons are the following: Math puts order in disorder, Math makes us better persons, and
Math makes a world a better place to live in.
We all know as children grow, they need to learn patience. Patience is precisely what math
teaches us. It also teaches us curiosity: for example, why is this rule used there? Why would that number
be negative? Why is that equation set up like that? These are questions they will learn to ask if they are
taught math. The parents’ job is to help their children grow up to become good people who are patient
and wise, who want to learn even more about anything and everything. Their future depends on what they
will be able to do many different things – maybe even anything – when they are adults (Bianco, 2015).
Hence, Math helps become better persons.
Math can help us understand better world around us. The concepts in Math can help us better
understand physical phenomena. It gives us a way to understand patterns, to quantify relationships, and to
predict the future. It helps us understand the world – and we use the world to understand math. The world
is interconnected. Everyday math shows these connections and possibilities. Also, the perfection of math
is visible within living structures in the world, but we can also use its accuracy and inherent wisdom to
improve our own lives.
Reference:
Rodriguez, Mary Joy, et al. (2018) Mathematics In the Modern World. Quezon city, Philippines: Nieme
Publishing House pp. 1-6.