PATTERNS AND NUMBERS IN NATURE

Objectives :
1. Explain the nature of mathematics;
2. Discuss how mathematics is exhibited in nature; and
3. Apply the principles of mathematics to resolve issues
that pertain to human activities, natural occurrences, and
social systems.

Introduction

Welcome to lesson 1 of module 1. This lesson introduces you to the

nature of mathematics and how it is used and displayed in our world. As a human,
it is our pleasure to know what really mathematics is? how it exhibited to control
what happens in the world and its application in solving problems. It is also
important to share and express your thoughts and learning about mathematics for
Mathematics is LIFE. Enjoy and keep reading!

Activity
Let’s Begin!

Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write AGREE.

Otherwise, write DISAGREE.
________1. Mathematics is exhibited through numbers
________2. Mathematics can progress even without numbers
________3. Every phenomenon, whether scientific or social,
can be explained by mathematics.
________4. Patterns that occur in nature are only for arts and
appreciation and not for mathematical explorations
________5. Mathematics is not meant to be learned by
everyone
Analysis

1.Do you agree that Mathematics is only exhibited through

arithmetic? If so, why?_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2.Why Mathematics can progress beyond arithmetic? _______________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3.Why Mathematics is a science of pattern?_______________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4.What are the patterns in nature that can be found in your respective
area?____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
5.Why Mathematics is for everyone?_____________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Abstraction
Let’s build on!

Quite often, people confine mathematics to numbers and arithmetic.

Such partial and superficial understanding of the nature of this body of knowledge
has restrained a liberal culture of learning in our educational system. In a way, a
bigger emphasis on numeric aptitude has brought about unfavorable attitude
towards the subjects among the students. Those who exhibit competence in
computation skills (e.g., doing arithmetic operations with speed and precision) are
immediately branded as “mathematicians”. While this may boost the interest of
students towards the subject, it may also pose deceptive expectations especially
when they encounter a different branch of mathematics. On the other hand, students
who exhibit inadequate number skills are intimidated and, sometimes, eventually
lose interest. In effect, they not seem to see mathematics in nature and ultimately
fail to appreciate it because of the distorted view of the subject.
One thing must clear at this point, though. Mathematics is not all about
numbers. Rather, it is about reasoning, making logical inferences and
generalizations, and seeing the relationships in both the visible and invisible
patterns in the world. One cannot simply base a person’s potential in mathematics
on numeric skills, in the same way that a good writer is not judged by his or her own
penmanship.
The heart of mathematics is more than just a numbers, numbers which many
suppose to be meaningless and uninteresting. “ And it is mathematics that reveals
the simplicities of nature, and permits us to generalize from simple examples to the
complexities of the real world. It took many people from many different areas of
human activity to turn a mathematical insight into a useful product” (Stewart, 1995,
pp. 71-72).
Mathematics goes beyond arithmetic. It is a language by which the universe
is elegantly designed. Its value transcends the intellectual, the practical, and even
the aesthetic standards. One can draw inspiration from the famous mathematician
David Hilbert, who influenced modern mathematics within axiomatic treatment of
geometry. Believed to have a dyscalculia (a disability of learning and
comprehending arithmetic), Hilbert used abstraction rather than explicit
computations to prove and establish essential mathematical theories that led to
breakthrough discoveries in both applied mathematics and sciences.
Patterns are core topics in mathematics. In fact, it also known as the science
of patterns. Historically, mathematicians have dealt with two types of pattern (or
more aptly, patterns of shapes). With an increasing urge to understand even the
slightest detail in the universe, these patterns have conceivably evolved to new
perspectives bringing about a more relevant approach in modeling the process that
are taking place in nature world. Thus, one may now also speak of patterns and
structure, patterns in changes and random patterns in shapes(fractals) and
occurrences (chaos).
 While an appreciation of the patterns serves every individual well, an innate
drive to at least understand these occurrences has brought forth a variety of
opportunities for man to better understand and explore the universe where he exists.
the attempt to understand the universe of patterns leads to many significant theories
in mathematics which in turn have been utilized by other disciplines.
Numbers and number patterns dominate most of human endeavors. For
example, the number sequence 31,28,31,30,31,30,31,31,30,31,30,31 may just
seem a random collection of numbers until one realizes that these are the numbers
of days that make up each of the 12 months of the Gregorian Calendar. Everyone
needs numbers to operate gadgets (such as cellular phones, laptop, two-way radio);
home addresses are conveniently assigned numeric codes for easier tracing, and a
lot of similar instances. Also, there are more systematic numerical patterns like 2, 4,
6, 8, and so on, which may be used to model the total savings a person makes
when he starts saving 2 pesos on the first day and adding up 2 pesos more for each
succeeding day. In human anatomy, heart beats rhythmically in a certain pattern
(which can be presented numerically) to sustain the body’s biological and chemical
make-up.
Perhaps the most popular and unifying numeric pattern known to man is the
Fibonacci sequence (or simply, the Fibonacci numbers). Nature abounds with
testimonies about the innateness of Fibonacci numbers. They appear in the
numbers started when Leonardo Pisano Bigollo, working under the pseudo name
Fibonacci, proposed a problem about the breeding of rabbits. He started with the
newly-born pair (male and female) of rabbits which were able to mate after one
month. After a month of gestation exactly one pair of rabbits, also male or female,
was produced one new pair (one male, one female). The problem then was to
determine the number of pairs of rabbits after one year.

Figure 1.1. Fibonacci Numbers from Rabbit Breeding

 Considering each month , there is 1 pair (pair A) in the initial period, still 1
pair a month after ( maturation period), then two pairs after two months (pair B is
born at the end of the second month which is the gestation period). On the third
month, pair A produces new pair (pair C) while pairing B is maturing, yielding three
pairs. On the fourth month, pair A produces another new pair (pair D), pair C will
now produce offspring(pair E), while pair D is maturing, yielding five pairs in all.
From this, the numbers 1,1,2,3,and 5 obtained. Figure 1.1 shows how the rabbits
multiply and how resulting numeric pattern is formed. Note that the problem
assumes that the female rabbits do not die and are biologically reproductive in the
entire process. Notice that starting with the third number, any other number in the
set is just the sum of the two preceding numbers. In the next section, see how
Fibonacci sequence changed the way mathematicians and scientist view the natural
world.
Aside from numeric patterns, there are also patterns of shapes which occur
naturally like the vibrant designs of flowers
and leaves of certain plants, and the
fascinating designs in the skin of some
animals. There are also man-made patterns
such as the symmetric designs of bridge
supports, wind mills, house roofs, and many
others. In Ian Stewart book , Nature’s
Numbers, he explains that “ by using
mathematics to organize and systematize our
ideas about patterns, we have discovered a great secret: nature’s patterns are not
just there to be admired, they are vital clues to the rules that govern natural
processes.”
Look at the patterns exhibited by the
formations of clouds. Of course, clouds and cloud
formations are practically used to assess the
possible occurrence of an atmospheric
phenomenon like rain or even a storm. In 2003,
John Adam went a step ahead when he was able
to model the different cloud formations by
working on numeric data which were obtained by observing these patterns. This
model became in demand among physicists as it later became significant factor in
weather forecasting to aid both air and marine investigations. He also used the
same approach to model other naturally occurring patterns like rainbow, river
meanders, honeycombs and snowflakes.

In certain types of plants, exquisite spiral patterns may be found in their

leaves and flowers. These amazing formations have attracted not only
mathematicians but also practitioners in applied sciences particularly biology and
botany. But beyond the genetic and biological structure, mathematicians were able
to discover what is known as golden angle which measures around 137.5 degree.

The discovery of the golden angle

draws more interest from other fields
as the question of “ why do these
plants grow in such fashion?” seems to
be getting no affirmative answers. As
mathematicians continued to explore
the golden angle among plants, they
also discovered the golden ratio, which later became closely attached to the
Fibonacci numbers. It is important to note that the original design pattern in plants
has been translated into numeric patterns through golden angle, the golden ratio,
and Fibonacci numbers.
Some animals also have amazing
patterns—such as coat patterns in different
species of snakes, insects (like butterfly
wings), peacock feathers, leopard spots,
zebra or tiger stripes, and a lot more. Over
the years, biologists, biochemists, and
mathematicians have been trying to find
explanations for these spectacles. Simply put,
the mathematical justification arises from the formulation of an equation (specifically,
a unique system of differential equation) which captures the interaction between two
chemical products that produce these skin coats. Of course, chemists have yet
directly observe the actual chemical reactions that are taking place in the skin of
these animals. The data they have gathered so far allowed mathematicians to
simulate all possible factors and draw up the needed mathematical models.
In the Philippines, one of the most prominent tourist attractions is the Mayon
volcano. Known as the world’s most perfect natural conical formation because of an
almost flawless symmetrical feature, this landmark has not enticed local and foreign
nature-loving tourists but has also encouraged scientific and mathematical
explorations over the years.
The Mayon volcano has erupted almost 60 times over the past 100 years,
making it one of the most active volcanoes worldwide. Aside from the geometric
aesthetics it offers, the volcanoes has paved the way for probabilistic modelling to
predict when and how it will erupt in the future. At present, a multidisciplinary team
( with mathematicians taking crucial roles) is aggressively monitoring activities.
In the southern part of the country ,
artistry and abstraction are exhibited in intricate
designs found in textile products and
architectural designs and ornamentation. These
designs are themselves concrete evidences not
only of the rich cultural heritage but also of
mathematical ingenuity. At present ,
sociocultural inquiries conducted on these designs have established links with
mathematics , giving birth to what is known as ethnomathematics. It is believed that
these elaborate designs can be figured only with as strong logical and mathematical
proficiency. In-depth analyses of these patterns transcend core concepts of abstract
algebra like groups, rings, and fields.
In recent years, mathematics has gone deeper into pattern exploration. By
further looking at the abstract details of the empirical occurrences, mathematicians
succeeded in tracing patterns even in the most irregular shapes
and events.
Fractal, a type of random pattern with each
part having the same characteristic as the
whole, is gaining popularity in modelling
natural structures and occurrences like
mountain formation and erosion, erratic wind
directions, crystal structures, and a lot more.
Chaos, on the hand, examines superficial randomness originating from deterministic
behavior. Weather conditions are naturally chaotic, yet technologies can already
predict long-term patterns of weather conditions, be it in global or in localized
settings.

Isaac Newton once said “ what we know is a drop, what we do not know is an
ocean.” While mathematics remains fully able to uncover the mysteries of the
universe , it I the human intellect that is constantly challenged to exercise
mathematics to discover the patterns, learn from them, and control the future by
manipulating them. Every individual should then focus to really embrace the abstract
yet powerful nature of mathematics to use patterns to nurture, advance and protect
the universe.
 Application
Let’s use it!
Exercise 1.1
Use five sentences or less to answer each of the following questions
completely.

1. To address the problem of traffic in a big city , several straight roads are
being constructed.It was noted that the two roads will have at most one junction,
three roads will have at most three junctions, and so on.
a. Complete the table below. Identify the pattern on the maximum number of
junctions for each given number of straight roads.
No. of Roads 2 3 4 5 6
No. of Intersection(at most)
b. At most how many junctions are expected to be constructed if there will be
seven roads in the city?
2. Why are numbers important in our life? Explain your answer.
3. Other than those mentioned in the section, enumerate five(5) situations
where you have to use numbers.
4. Other than those mentioned in the section, describe three other patterns of
shapes that you see in nature. Discuss briefly the “ mathematics” behind such
patterns.
5. Identify and describe at least one pattern that you observe in your locality or
within your nearby environement.

Exercise 1.2
Group Work.Follow the instruction below.
1. Form groups of 4-5 members. Assign a leader.
2. Each member should write two essays about the patterns (one for numeric
and another for geometric patterns)
3. Each member will present his/her output to the members of the group.
 4. The assigned leaders will synthesisthe presentations of the members and
present it to the entire class.

Assignment
Watch the video clips of Nature by numbers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGeOWYOFoA. Then, complete the statement
that follow
1. Three things that I significantly learnedd from the video clip.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Three things that are still unclear to me
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. I used to think that
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Closure

Well done! You have succesfully completed the activities and tasks in lesson
1 module 1. It is expected that you have learned about patterns in nature with
meaningful experience . Now, you are ready for the lesson 2 of module 1. Enjoy!
And keep working!

References

Earnhart, R.I. and Adina, E.M. Modern in the Modern World(Outcomed Based
Module). C & E Publishing Inc., 2018.

Baltazar, E., et.al. Mathematics in the Modern World. C & E Publishing Inc.,
2018.