NATURE OF MATHEMATICS
Mathematics as a study of patterns
• A pattern is an arrangement which helps observes anticipate what they might see or what
happens next.
• A pattern also shows what may have come before.
VARIOUS TYPES OF PATTERNS
• Logic Patterns - usually the first to be observed.
One kind of logic pattern deals the characteristics of various objects while another deals with
order.
• Number - Mathematics is especially useful when it helps predict events.
• Geometric - Design that depicts abstract shapes, typically repeats like a wallpaper. Visual patterns
are observed in nature and in art.
• Word - found in language like the morphological rules on pluralizing nouns or conjugating verbs
for tense, as well as the metrical rules of poetry.
VITRUVIAN MAN (Leonardo Da Vinci)
• an illustration of concepts described by the Roman Vitruvius in the 1st century BC.
• Pattern indicate a sense of structure and organization that it seem only humans are capable of
producing these intricate, creative, and amazing formations.
FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
•Named after Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci).
•Discovered this sequence as he look a hypothesized group of rabbits bred and
reproduced.
•Ratios of successive Fibonacci number approach the number Ф (Phi), also known as the
Golden Ratio. This is approximately equal to 1.618.
•Golden Ratio can also be expressed as the ratio between two numbers, if the latter is also
the ratio between the sum and the larger of the two numbers.
Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci (1170-1240 or 1250)
-Was an Italian number theorist. He introduced the world to such wide- ranging mathematical
concepts as what is now known as the Arabic numbering system, the concept of square roots,
number sequencing, and even math word problems.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS
LANGUAGE
-a systematic means of communicating by the use of sound or conventional symbols
-It is the code humans use as a form of expressing themselves and communicating with others.
-system of words used in a particular discipline.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE
-Mathematics is a system of communication about objects
-Collection of both symbols and their meaning shared by a global community of people who
have an interest in the subject.
Characteristics of Mathematical Language
Precise
-It can make very fine distinctions or definitions among a set of mathematical symbols.
Concise
-It can express otherwise long exposition or sentences briefly using the language of mathematics.
Powerful
-One can express complex thoughts with relative ease.
Mathematical Symbols
-Mathematics is a branch of science that is composed of several fields.
Logic- Allows us to determine the validity of arguments in and out of mathematics. It highlights
the importance of precision and conciseness in the language of mathematics.
PROPOSITIONS AND SYMBOLS
Propositions - Declarative sentence that can be classified as true or false, but not both.
- Answerable by true or false
-A self-contradictory proposition like this is called a paradox. -the sentence cannot be classified
as either true or false, so it is not a proposition.
Simple Proposition – A proposition that conveys one thought with no connecting words.
Compound Proposition – Contains two or more simple propositions that are put together using
connective words. (and, but, although, or, however)
Types of Compound Propositions
Conjunction (Wedge) (∧) - and, but, if
Disjunction (∨) – neither, nor (Negative)
– either, or (Positive)
• Inclusive Disjunction – Statements can be both true, at least 1 true
• Exclusive Disjunction – 1 true only
Conditional (→) – There’s always a condition. If, then, etc.
Bioconditional (⟷) – Prefix of 2. If and only if.
- 2 conditional statements that are connected.
e.g Bicycle – has a 2 wheels.
Negation (∼) - ~ means not.
- False whenever the statement is true, vice versa.
