The Nature of Mathematics

▪ Mathematics is a universal way to “The nature of God is a circle of which

make sense of the world and to the center is everywhere and the
communicate understanding of circumference is nowhere.”
concepts and rules using the
-Empedocles
mathematical.
1. Symbols
2. Signs
Other People who Studied Patterns:
3. Proofs
4. Language Joseph Plateau
5. Conventions
▪ examined soap films, leading him
Patterns and Numbers in to formulate the concept of a
minimal surface.
Nature and the World
Ernst Haeckel
Natural Patterns ▪ Painted hundreds of marine
1. Spiral organisms to emphasize their
symmetry.
2. Symmetries
D’Arcy Thompson
3. Mosaics
▪ pioneered the study of growth
4. Stripes 5. Dots patterns in both plants and
Greek Philosophers who animals, showing that simple
equations could explain spiral
Studied Patterns growth.
“I would teach children music, physics and Alan Turing
philosophy; but most importantly music
for the patterns in music and all the arts ▪ Predicted mechanisms of
are keys to earning.” morphogenesis which give rise to
patterns of spots and stripes.
-Plato
Aristid Lindenmayer and Benoît
“There is geometry in the humming of the Madelbrot
strings, there is music in the spacing of
the spheres.”-Pythagoras ▪ showed how the mathematics of
fractals could create plant growth
patterns.
A fractal is a never-ending pattern.
Patterns and
Fractals are infinitely complex patterns
that are self-similar across different Regularities in the
scales. They are created by repeating a
simple process over and over in an ongoing World as Organized
feedback loop.
by Mathematics
W. Gary Smith
Pattern – constitutes a set of numbers or
▪ adopts eight patterns in his
objects in which all the members are
landscape work, namely:
related with each other by a specific
scattered, fractured, mosaic,
rule. It is also known as sequence. There
naturalistic drift, serpentine,
can be finite or infinite number of
spiral, radial, and dendritic.
members in a pattern.
These patterns occur in plants,
animals, rocks formation, river Relation – constitutes between two sets
flow, stars or in human creations. is a collection of ordered pairs containing
one object from each set. If the object x
The Fibonacci Sequence is from the first set and the object y is
from the second set, then the objects
Leonardo Pisano Bogollo lived between
are said to be related if the ordered pair
1170 and 1250 in Italy. His nickname,
(x, y) is in the relation.
“Fibonacci” roughly means “Son of
Bonacci” . His father is Guglielmo Bonacci. Function – is a type of relation. But, a
He helped spread Hindu Arabic numerals relation is allowed to have the object x in
(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) through the first set to be related to more than
Europe in place of Roman numerals which one object in the second set.
is part of the sequence, which he
Patterns in nature can be seen in the
developed. The Fibonacci Sequence was
following:
recognized as the Golden Ratio.
Rainbows, Water Waves, Cloud
The Fibonacci numbers goes like this:
Formations, Tree Branching, Mud-crack
0112358 Butterfly Markings, Leopard Spots, Tiger
Stripes
13 21 34 55 89 144
Functions can be observed from:
233 377 610 987 1597 2584
The time turkey cooks (Range Value) is
4181 6765 10946 17711 28657
determined by the weight of the turkey
(Domain Value).

Similarities in nature can be observed....
Branches of the three and those of a
river network Snail Shell and the Swirling
Stars of a galaxy
Scenes in which regularities exists
▪ Regularities is an attribute of a
Puzzles in Nature
shape or relation, exact reflection
of form on opposite sides of a
dividing line or plane
Motion of Pendulum
▪ Its period it takes to swing back
to its original position is related to
its length, but the relationship is
not linear.
Reflection in the mirror plane –
▪ the image that is the same size as
the object and is far behind the
mirror as the object is distance
from the mirror.
Free Falling Object
▪ Any object that is moving and
being acted upon only be the force
of gravity is said to be in a state
of free fall.
Mathematics in Medicine
Action-Reaction
▪ In every interaction, there is a
pair of forces acting on the two
interacting objects.
Phenomena in the World as
predicted by Mathematics
Patterns in Nature
▪ the role of mathematics is to
describe symmetry-breaking
processes to explain in a unified
way the fact that the patterns
seen in sand dunes and zebra’s
stripes are caused by processes
which, while physically different,
are mathematically very similar.
▪ Mathematics solves puzzles in
nature (such as why planets move
in the way that they do), describes
changing quantities via Because
mathematics plays such a central
role in modern culture, some basic
understanding of the nature of
mathematics is requisite for
scientific literacy. To achieve this,
students need to.
▪ Perceive mathematics as part of
the scientific endeavor calculus,
modelling change (such as the
evolution of the eye), and predicts
and controls physical systems
comprehend the nature of
mathematical thinking become
familiar with key mathematical
ideas and skills.
▪ Nurses routinely use addition,
fractions, ratios, and algebraic
equations each workday to deliver
the right amount of medication to
their patients or monitor changes
in their health.
▪ In life expectancy, mathematics
used to summarize the remaining
 years of life that that a person is ▪ Getting the best value of valuable
expected to live. resources
▪ Etc.
Applications of Mathematics
Mathematics in Engineering
in the World
▪ It combines mathematical theory,
Mathematics in Farming and Gardening practical engineering and scientific
computing to address the fast-
▪ Mathematics has enabled farming
changing technology.
to be more economically efficient
▪ It is a creative and exciting
and has increased productivity.
discipline, spanning traditional
▪ Farmers use mathematics as a
boundaries and dealing with
system of organization to
today’s technological challenges.
effectively utilized their time and
▪ It can be found in an
manage they money.
extraordinarily wide range of
▪ Farmers use numbers every day
careers, from designing next
for a variety of tasks, from
generation high-end cars to
measuring and weighing, to land
inventing robotics and automotive
marking.
devices
▪ Basic geometry, proportions,
multiplications, and measurement Mathematics in Investment
skills are used every day by
▪ Individuals with poor math
farmers.
fundamentals typically make
Mathematics in Travels greater financial mistakes like
underestimating how quickly
▪ Fuel required based on distance
interest accumulates.
▪ Total expenses for toll fees
▪ Tire pressure check Mathematics in Time
▪ Time allowance to the trip
▪ Without a good planning, the day
▪ Short-cut routes alternatives
can slip idly, and tasks and duties
▪ Road map reading
accrue.
▪ Speed limits and others
▪ In a swift changing world, creating
Mathematics in Construction and following schedule prove
beneficial, but it takes more
▪ Making accurate measurements of
mathematical skills than simply
lengths, widths, and angles
using a clock and calendar to
▪ Projecting detailed material
manage time well and be on top of
estimate
others.
LANGUAGE is the system of words, The use of language in mathematics
differs from the language of ordinary
signs and symbols which people use to
speech in three important ways:
express ideas, thoughts and feelings.
1. Mathematical language is non-temporal.
▪ Language consists of the words,
There is no past, present or future in
their pronunciation and the
mathematics.
methods of combining them to be
understood by a community. 2. Mathematical language is devoid of
▪ Language is a systematic means of EMOTIONAL CONTENT.
communicating ideas or feelings by
3. Mathematical language is precise.
the use of conventionalized signs,
sounds, gestures or marks having Vocabulary understanding is a major
understood meanings. contributor to overall comprehension in
many content areas, including
Mathematical Language is the mathematics.
system used to communicate
Multivariate mathematical expressions
mathematical ideas.
have more than one variable:
▪ Mathematical Language has its
Example:
own grammar, syntax, vocabulary,
word order, synonyms, - 5xxxx + 9xx − 12
conventions, idioms, abbreviations,
- 31aaaaaa
sentence structure and paragraph
structure. It has certain language - 9yy/3xx
features unparalleled in other
Mathematical Expressions consist of
languages, such as representation.
terms. The terms are separated from
▪ Mathematical Language also
other terms with either plus or minus
includes a large component of
signs. A single term may contain an
logic. The ordinary language which
expression in parentheses or other
gradually expands to comprise
grouping symbols.
symbolisms and logic leads to
learning of mathematics and its 3x2 + 7x – 12
useful application to problem
situations.
Types of Mathematical Expressions

Characteristics of

Mathematical Language
Mathematical Sentence combines two
mathematical expressions using a
comparison operator. These expressions
either use numbers, variables, or both.
The comparison operators include equal,
not equal, greater than, greater than or
equal to, less than and less than or equal
to. The signs which convey equality or
inequality are also called relation symbols
because they specify how two
expressions are related. A mathematical
expression containing the equal sign is an
equation. The two parts of an equation
are called members. A mathematical
Conventions in the
expression containing the inequality sign
is an inequality. Mathematical Language

Symbols
2 things to consider understanding
symbols:

▪ Context – refers to the topics

being studied, and it is important
to understand the context to
understand mathematical symbols.
▪ Convention – is a technique used by
mathematicians, engineers,
scientists in which each symbol
has meaning.

Greek Alphabet
4 Basics Concepts ▪ The common characteristics of
the elements are defined. This
1. SETS method uses set builder notation
▪ A set is a well-defined collection where x is used to represent any
of distinct objects. The objects element of the given set.
that make up a set is called
Kinds of Sets
elements.

Two ways to describe set

1. Empty/Null/Void Set has no element
1. Roster/Tabular
and is denoted by ∅ by a pair of braces
with no element inside, i.e. {}

2. Finite Set has countable number of

elements, i.e. A = {1, 2, 3, 4,5}

3. Infinite Set has uncountable number

of elements, A = {..., -3, -2, -1, 0, ...}

4. Universal Set is the totality of all the

elements of the sets under
consideration, denoted by U, i.e. U = {...-2,
-1, 0, 1, 2,…}

▪ The elements in the given set are Two or more sets may be related to
listed or enumerated, separated each other as described by the ff:
by a comma, inside a pair of braces

2. Rule/Descriptive 1. Equal Sets have been the same

elements

2. Equivalent Sets have the same number

of elements

3. Joint Sets have at least one common

element

4. Disjoint Sets have no common element

Subset is a set every element of which

can be found on a bigger set. The symbol
⊂ means “a subset of” while ⊄ means “not
a subset of”.
Improper Subset (⊆) – if the first set
equals the second set. A null set is always
a subset of any given set and is
considered an improper subset of the
given set.
Proper Subset (⊂) – other than the set
itself and the null set, all are considered
proper subsets.
Power Set – the set containing all the
subsets of the given set with n number of
elements.
Operations of Sets
Suppose there are Sets A and B.
1. Union of Sets A and B [denoted by A
∪ BB] is a set whose elements are found
in A and B or in both. In symbol: AA ∪ BB
= {xx/xx ∈ AA oooo xx ∈ BB}.
2. Intersection of Sets A and B
[denoted by AA ∩ BB] is a set whose
elements are common to both sets. In
symbol: AA ∩ BB = {xx/xx ∈ AA aaaaaa
xx ∈ BB}.
3. Difference of Sets A and B [denoted
by AA − BB] is a set whose elements are
found in set A but not in set B. In symbol:
AA − BB = {xx/xx ∈ AA aaaaaa xx ∉ BB}.
4. Complement of Set A [denoted by A’]
is a set whose elements are found in the
universal set but not in set A. In symbol:
A’ = {xx/xx ∈∪ aaaaaa xx ∉ AA}.
The pictorial representation of
relationship and operations of set is the
so-called Venn-Euler Diagrams or simply
Venn Diagrams. The universal set is
usually represented by a rectangle while
circles with the rectangle usually
represent it subsets. The shaded region
in the diagrams illustrates the sets
relation or operation.
John Venn (4 August 1834 – 4 April 1923)
-an English Logician an Philosopher
Leonhard Euler (15 April 1707 – 18
September 1783) – was a Swiss
mathematician, physicist, astronomer,
logician, and engineer.
2. RELATIONS
▪ A relation is a set of
inputs and outputs, oftentimes
expressed as ordered pairs
(Input, output).
▪ A relation is a
rule which associates each
element of the first set with at
least one element in the second
set.
Example:
 When an independent variable
corresponds to more than one
variable, it is a relation. A relation
is a correspondence between a
first set of variables such that
for some elements of the first set
of variables, there correspond at
least two elements of the second
set of variables.
inputs. A function consists of
argument (input to a function),
value (output), domain (set of
all permitted inputs to given
function) and codomain (set of
permissible outputs).
Operations of Functions

4. BINARY OPERATIONS
▪ Binary means consisting of two
parts. In mathematics, binary
When an independent variable means that it belongs to a number
corresponds to more than one system with base 2 and not base
variable, it is a relation. A relation 10. A binary is made up of 0’s and
is a correspondence between a 1’s. A bit is a single binary digit.
first set of variables such that
for some elements of the first set
of variables, there correspond at
least two elements of the second
set of variables.

3. FUNCTIONS

▪ Functions are mathematical

entities that give
unique outputs to particular

Binary Operation is a rule of combining
two values to produce a new value.
▪ A binary operation is said to be
commutative if the order of the
arguments is charged and the
result is equivalent.
▪ A binary operation is said to be
associative if the order of the
parentheses is changed and the
result is equivalent.
▪ An element, denoted by e, is said
to be identity or neutral element
of the binary operation if under
the operation, any element
combined with e results in the
same element.
▪ For an element, the inverse
represented as a -1, when
combined with under the binary
operation results in the identity
element for that binary operation.
Typical examples of binary operations
are the addition and multiplication of
numbers and matrices, as well as
composition of functions on a single
set. Examples:
▪ On the set of real numbers R, f (a,
b) = a + b is a binary operation
since the sum of two real numbers
is a real number.
▪ On the set natural numbers N, f
(a, b) = a + b is a binary operation
since the sum of two natural
numbers is a natural number. This
is a different binary operation
than the previous one since the
sets are different.
▪ On the set M(2, 2) of 2 x 2
matrices with real entries, f(A, B)
= AB is a binary operation since
the sum of two such matrices is
another 2 x 2 matrix.
▪ On the set M (2,2) of 2 x 2
matrices with real entries, f(A, B)
= A + B is a binary operation since
the product of two such matrices
is another 2 x 2 matrix.
▪ For a given set C, let S be the set
of all functions h: C → C. Define f:
S x S → S by ff(h1, h2)(cc) = (h1,
h2)(cc) = h1(h2(cc)) for all cc ∈ CC,
the composition of the two
functions h1and h2 in S. Then f is
a binary operation since the
composition of the two functions
is another function on the set C
(that is, a member of S).
Elementary Logic
▪ Logic is the science of formal
principles of reasoning or correct
inference. It is the study of
principles and methods used to
 distinguish valid arguments from
those that are not valid. Logic is
the expressions of ordered
thoughts starting from axioms and
resulting in a conclusion.
▪ Additional Information.
Mathematical Logic is the study
of reasoning in mathematics.
Mathematical Reasoning is
deductive; meaning it consists of
drawing conclusions from given
hypothesis.

Formality

▪ Formality is a relational concept:

an expression can be more or less
formal relative to another
expression, entailing an ordering
of expressions; yet no expression
can be absolutely formal or
absolutely informal.