PATTERNS IN NATURE AND THE WORLD

Lesson Outcomes
Determine some patterns and numbers perceptible in real world
Demonstrate familiarity and sensibility among the countless application of
mathematics in the world

Introduction
Mathematics is described in so many ways that fits within the area of human knowledge.
Basically it is seen as a study of patterns and relations. It is also a way of thinking. Mathematics
is seen as an art which is characterized by order and internal consistency. Thus, mathematics is
a tool (Reys, Lindquist, Lambdin, Smith and Suydam, 2004).

As rational creatures, we tend to identify and follow patterns, whether consciously or

subconsciously. Recognizing patterns feels natural, like our brain is hardwired to recognize
them. Early humans recognized the repeating interval of day and night, the cycle of the moon,
the rising and falling of tides, and the changing of the seasons. Awareness of these patterns
allowed humans to survive. In a similar fashion, many flora and fauna also follow certain
patterns such as the arrangement of leaves and stems in a plant, the shape of a snowflake, the
flowers' petals, or even the shape of a snail's shell.

In the general sense of the word, patterns are regular, repeated, or recurring forms or
designs. We see patterns every day—from the layout of floor tiles, designs of Skyscrapers, to
the way we tie our shoelaces. Studying patterns help students in identifying relationships and
finding logical connections to form generalizations and make predictions. In this lesson we will
be looking at patterns and regularities in the world, and how mathematics comes into play, both
in nature and in human endeavors.

Patterns in Nature and the World

The body plans of most animals, including humans, exhibit mirror symmetry, also called
. They are symmetric about a plane running from head to tail (or toe).
Bilateral symmetry is prevalent in Kingdom Animalia that many scientists think that it can’t be a
coincidence.

Bilateral Symmetry

Radial Symmetry
 The other kind of symmetry is . This is where there is a center point
and numerous lines of symmetry could be drawn. When a line is drawn through the shape or
object at any angle, the two sides of the line are identical.

It can also be observed that the patter on a snowflake repeat six times, thus a six-fold
symmetry. However, many snowflakes are not perfectly symmetric due to the effects of humidity
and temperature on the ice crystals as it forms. Amazingly, no two snowflakes have been
discovered to be exactly alike, yet they are all six sided in shape.

Snowflake Honeycomb

Another marvel of nature’s design is the structure and shape of a honeycomb. People
have long wondered how bees, despite their very small size, are able to produce such
arrangement while humans would generally need the use of a ruler and compass to accomplish
the same feat. It is observed that such formation enables the bee colony to maximize their
storage of honey using the smallest amount of wax.

Patterns are also exhibited in the external appearances of animals. We are familiar with
how a tiger looks – distinctive reddish – orange fur and dark stripes. Hyenas, a predator from
Africa are also covered in patterns of spots. These seemingly random designs are believed to
be governed by mathematical equations.

Tiger Hyena

Flowers are easily considered as things of beauty. If you look more closely, you will
notice that different flowers have different number of petals. Take the iris and trillium for
example. Both have only three (3) petals. Another flower, the sunflower, when looked up close,
you will notice that there is a definite pattern of clockwise and counter clockwise arcs or spirals
extending outward from the center of the flower. This is another demonstration of how nature
works to optimize the available space.

Iris Trillium Sunflower

 We are also familiar with spiral patterns. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way Galaxy follows
a spiral pattern. The most common spiral patterns can be seen in whirlpools and in the shells of
snails and other similar mollusks. The snail’s shell is a refined spiral structure that
is even more visible when the shell is sliced. This is another example of how nature seems to
follow a certain set of rules governed by mathematics.

Snail’s Shell

The Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, China is also called the ―Bird’s Nest‖ since its
architectural design is inspired by the natural and manual construction of a circular bird’s nest.
This is just one of the many man-made structures that are inspired by the nature’s marvel,
following its multiple and mathematics – governed patterns.

Evaluation

1. The first three (capital) letters in the English alphabet has their respective symmetries. ―A‖
has a vertical symmetry, ―B‖ and ―C‖ have horizontal symmetries in their 2-dimensional figures.
Identify those remaining letters and draw the corresponding symmetry of each letter, if there
are. Write none if the letter has no symmetry.

2. Recognize animals and/or plants or anything in nature that exhibits the following and draw
one for each item. You can choose to paste printed pictures. Do not repeat examples used in
the discussions above.

a) bilateral symmetry
b) radial symmetry
c) natural patterns in flora and fauna (plants and animals)
d) Man-made structures
REFERENCE

 Mathematics in the Modern World. Philippine Edition. Rex Book Store. 2018