MATHEMATICS IN THE

MODERN WORLD
CHAPTER 1
Patterns and Numbers in Nature
Exponential Growth
and the World

Patterns are regular, repeated, or recurring Population growth and bacterial

forms or designs. Patterns are commonly decay can be modeled by the
observed in natural objects, such as the exponential growth or decay formula
six-fold symmetry of snowflakes, the
hexagonal structure and formation of
A = Pe^rt.
honeycombs, the tiger’s stripes and
hyena’s spots, the number of seeds in a
sunflower, the spiral of a snail’s shell, and
the number of petals of flowers. Humans
are hard wired to recognize patterns and
by studying them, we discovered the
underlying mathematical principles behind
nature’s designs.
Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

In the general sense of the world, 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.
Let’s take a look at this pattern:

😊😄😊😄😊
What do you think will be the next face in the sequence? It should be easy enough to note
that the pattern is made up of two smiling faces – one without teeth and one with teeth.
Beginning with a toothless face, the two faces then alternate. Logically, the face that
should follow is 😄.
Patterns and Numbers in Nature
Exponential Growth
and the World

The exponential growth model, A =30e^0.02t describes the

population of 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:
Since our exponential growth model describes the population
t years after 1995, we consider 19195 as t = 0 and then solve
for A, our population size
A = 30e^0,02t e^0 = 1
A = 30e^(0.02)(0) A = 30
Replace t with t = 0 Therefore, the city population
in 1995 was 30,000.
A = 30e^0
A = 30(1)
What Number Comes Next?
What number comes next in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ___?

Solution:
Looking at the given numbers, the sequence is
increasing, with each term being two more than
the previous term: 3 = 1 + 2: 5 = 3 + 2: 9 = 7 + 2.
Therefore, the next term should be 11 = 9 + 2.

EXAMPLE 2
What number comes next in 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___?

Patterns indicate a sense of structure and organization

that it seems only humans are capable of producing
these intricate, creative, and amazing formations. It is
from this perspective that some people see an
"intelligent design" in the way that nature forms.
Snowflakes and Honeycombs
Recall that symmetry indicates that you can draw an
imaginary line across an object and the resulting parts
are mirror images of each other.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

The figure on the right is

symmetric about the axis
indicated by the dotted line. Note
that the left and right portions
are exactly the same. This type of
symmetry, known as line or
bilateral symmetry, is evident in
most animals, including humans.
Look in a mirror and see how the
left and right sides of your face
closely match.
EXAMPLE 3: POPULATION GROWTH

The exponential growth model A = 30e^0.02t 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 19195 as t = 0 and
then solve for A, our population size
A = 30e^0,02t
A = 30e^(0.02)(0) Replace t with t = 0
A = 30e^0
A = 30(1) e^0 = 1
A = 30
Therefore, the city population in 1995 was 30,000.

b. We need to find A for the year 2017. To find t. we subtract 2017 and 1995 to get t = 22, which we then plug in to
our exponential growth model.
 
A = 30e^0.02t
A = 30e^(0.02)(0) Replace t with t = 22.
A = 30e^0.44
A = 30(1.55271) e^0.44 = 1.55271
A = 46.5813
Therefore, the city population would be about 46,581 in 2017
The formula for exponential growth can
also be used for exponential decay, with
the rate "r" being a negative value. The
time "t" should coincide with the given
rate, i.e. if the time is in years, then the
growth rate should also be a yearly
growth rate.

TAKE NOTE
THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE

 Sequence A sequence is an ordered list of number, called terms, that may have
repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is set by a definite rule. The
terms of a sequence could be generated by applying the rule to previous terms of
the sequence.
 Fibonacci Sequence The Fibonacci sequence is formed by adding the preceding
two numbers, beginning with 0 and 1. Ratio, which is considered as the most
aesthetically pleasing proportion.
MATHEMATICS FOR OUR WORLD

 Mathematics helps predict patterns and regularities in the world.

Mathematics helps predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in the
world, as well as helps humans exert control over occurrences in the
world for the advancement for our civilization.
THANK YOU!