MATHEMATICS
IN THE
MODERN WORLD
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? What this module is about?
Mathematics has an indispensable role in the human culture. We
consider it in different things we do in our lives. If we’ll buy something, we
usually thought of what we’re going to do with it. If it is an appliance, we will
be thinking of its size or the area in our house where it should be put. If it’s a
painting, we will be thinking if it is worth the price we are paying. And in any
other life goals, we definitely use Mathematics in decision making.
This module deals with the introduction to the nature of mathematics as
an exploration of patterns and numbers in nature.
This is divided into two lessons, namely:
Lesson 1: Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
Lesson 2: Fibonacci Sequence
? What you need to know?
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Identify patterns in nature and regulatory in the world
2. Classify the objects according to symmetry
3. Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life
4. Explain Fibonacci numbers and their origin
5. Illustrate how the Fibonacci sequence is expressed in nature
? How to learn from this module?
1. Use your prescribed class schedule for this subject in managing your
time to read and study every part of this module. Take your time in
studying until you were able to understand the concept being presented
in the lessons.
2. Study how you can manage to do the activities in this module
considering the other modules you have to accomplish in your other
subjects.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. You are free to browse and read different materials even prior to doing
the tasks in this module.
5. Submit your accomplished output/s for this module on the scheduled
date set by your teacher. If you have any inquiry regarding the lessons or
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher through
messenger or Google classroom.
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Have you ever thought of the ff. questions?
What does mathematics have to do with nature?
What is mathematics about and what it is for?
What is a mathematical pattern?
WHAT DOES MATHEMATICS HAVE TO DO WITH NATURE?
The majority of learners find mathematics dry, dull, and boring, and
most of all, difficult and irrelevant. They consider the application of
mathematics distinct from the natural world because they fail to relate it to the
difficulties that they have in learning the subject. Thus, they could not see the
essence of mathematics.
The natural world is full of beauty and amazing shapes and patterns. In
his book, Nature by Numbers, Ian Stewart mentioned that we live in a universe
of patterns. If you observe our nature diligently, you can prove that our nature
bounds in mystical colors and intricate shapes and patterns that can be
described mathematically.
Look at the pictures below. Are these familiar to you? Have you ever
recognized these patterns in nature?
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WHAT MATHEMATICS IS ABOUT AND WHAT IT IS FOR?
According to Ian Stewart in his book Nature by Numbers, when we hear
the word “mathematics”, the first thing that springs to mind is numbers.
Numbers are the heart of mathematics, an all-pervading influence, and the raw
materials out of which great deal of mathematics is forged. But numbers form
only a tiny part of mathematics.
The world cannot move even an inch without mathematics because it is
the cradle of all creations. Everyone needs mathematics in everyday life. Be it a
baker or a cook as he measures the ingredients in their quantity, a dressmaker
as she measures the figure and length of cloths, a farmer as he plans to sow
seeds or counts the number of plants, an artist as he paints, designs collages,
dances or measures the size of the canvas, size of the stage, space required –
everything requires numbers. Even insects use mathematics in their everyday
life for existence.
Mathematics makes our life orderly and systematic, and it prevents
chaos. It helps us to see patterns needed to generalize a broader solution to a
problem. It can be used to express, solve, and interpret the puzzles observed in
nature. It expounds the power of reasoning, creativity, abstract or spatial
thinking, critical thinking, problem solving ability, and even effective
communication skills.
WHAT IS A MATHEMATICAL PATTERN?
Haven’t you ever wondered…?
…how magnificent it is for the left and …why almost all trees look the same-with
right side of a butterfly to look like each branches stemming from a trunk?
other?
…why the shape of a moving snake looks …why the features you have in the left
like the shape of a river? side mirrors those at the right side?
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Patterns are things that are repetitive, which can be found in nature as
color, shape, action, or some other sequences that are almost everywhere.
Mathematics expresses patterns. These sequences that repeat, follows a rule or
rules. A rule is a way to calculate or solve a problem.
TYPES OF PATTERN IN NATURE
1. Symmetry
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, symmetry is an exact
correspondence of form and constituent configuration on opposite sides of a
dividing line or plane or about a center or an axis.
It indicates that you can draw an imaginary line across an object and the
resulting parts are mirror images of each other.
a. Reflection Symmetry
It is also called mirror symmetry or line symmetry. It is made with
a line going through an object which divides it into two pieces which
are mirror images of each other. This is often termed as bilateral
symmetry as it divides the object into two (“bi “ means two) mirror
images.
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b. Rotational Symmetry
It is also called radial symmetry. In Biology, this kind of symmetry
is exhibited by objects when their similar parts are regularly arranged
around a central axis and the pattern looks the same after a certain
amount of rotation. Note that if you rotate the given images below by
several degrees, you can still achieve the same appearance as the original
position.
The smallest angle that a figure can be rotated while still
preserving the original formation is called the angle of rotation. To
compute for the angle of rotation, we simply divide 360 by n (n –fold
rotational symmetry).
Let’s take the starfish as an example; if we are going to compute its angle
of rotation, we need to divide 360 by 5 (since it has a 5 – fold symmetry)
we will obtain 72 . Hence, if we are going to rotate the starfish 72 from
its original position, we will still achieve the same appearance as the
original position.
c. Translational Symmetry
This kind of symmetry is exhibited by objects which do not change
its size and shape even if it moved to another location. Note that the
movement does not involve with reflection or rotation.
A shape exhibits translational symmetry if displacement in some
direction-horizontal or vertical, returns the shape to its original
configuration.
Even if the comb or brick is moved to another location, the pattern will still
remain.
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2. Fractals
These are never-ending patterns that are self-similar across different
scales. The image just reappears over and over again no matter how many
times the object is magnified.
3.Spirals
These are curved patterns made by series of circular shapes revolving
around a central point.
4. Spots and stripes
Patterns are also exhibited in the external appearances of animals.
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5. Flower Petals
Flowers are easily considered as things of beauty. Their vibrant colors
and fragrant odors make them very appealing as gifts or decorations. The
flowers below have different number of petals. Flowers with 5 petals are said to
be the most common. Notice that these numbers are all Fibonacci numbers.
6. Number Patterns and Sequences
Consider the pattern below.
Are you familiar with this number pattern in a triangle? What do you think
will be the next layer of the numbers in the triangle?
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1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
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2 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
The Fibonacci numbers are a series of number that
often occur in nature. This number sequence was developed
in the Middle Ages, and it was named after Leonardo Pisano
Bigollo, a famous Italian mathematician who also happened
to discover Fibonacci. He is the greatest European
mathematician of the middle ages. He was born in 1170 and
died in 1240. He introduced the Arabic number system in
Europe.
Fibonacci is a short term for the latin filius bonacci,
which means “the son of Bonacci”.
Fibonacci sequence is an integer in the infinite sequence 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5,
8, 13…The sequence begins with zero or one. Each subsequent number is
found by getting the sum of two preceding numbers. For instance, 2 is found
by adding the two numbers before it which are 1 and 1; 3 is found by adding 1
and 2; 5 is found by adding 2 and 3; and so on.
A sequence is an ordered set of numbers, shapes, or any other
mathematical objects arranged into a rule.
1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233
N 1st2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12th 13th
Consider the Fibonacci sequence above. If we want to find the 8 th term,
we need to add the 6th and 7th term. That is:
Another interesting thing about Fibonacci sequence is that it shows
multiples of a number. In the table given above, observe that,
Every 3rd term is a multiple of 2 (2, 8, 34, 144, …)
Every 4th term is a multiple of 3 (3, 21, 144, …)
Every 5th term is a multiple of 5 (5, 55, …)
Every 6th term is a multiple of 8.
Thus, every nth term is a multiple of .
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In finding the nth term of a Fibonacci sequence, we may also use Binet’s
formula:
√ √
(( ) ( ))
In the sequence 1,√1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34,…, let us find the
√ √
(( ) ( ))
√
√ √
(( ) ( ))
√
We also know that we can find the by getting the sum of
the two previous terms which are 21 and 34. Hence, the term of the
Fibonacci sequence is 55.
In nature, many plants show the Fibonacci numbers in the arrangement of
leaves around the stem, the number of spirals like in sunflowers.
You may watch the following video presentations on YouTube about our lesson.
https://youtu.be/kkGeOWYOFoA - Nature by Numbers
https://youtu.be/64643Op6WJo - What is Mathematics?
https://youtu.be/Nr_8FJAslqo - Mathematics: what it is for?
https://youtu.be/4Mfl2QbSMYY - Patterns in Nature – Symmetry, Fractals &
Geometry!
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OUTPUT #1
1. Make a reflection about the importance of mathematics in your life. Cite
instances on how you use it in your daily life. Your work must not be less
than 200 words but not more than 350 words.
Your work will be graded as follows:
Clarity of Ideas – 10 points
Organization – 10 points
Spelling/Grammar/Punctuation – 5 points
OUTPUT #2
2. Aside from the aforementioned objects that exhibit patterns in nature,
give another example (only one (1)) by illustrating it through a drawing.
Put it on a short bond paper. It can be in a portrait or landscape
orientation. Write a brief explanation (3-5 sentences) about the pattern
being presented in your illustration.
Your work will be graded as follows:
Pattern used in the artwork – 10 points
Creativity – 10 points
Originality – 5 points
Explanation of artwork – 5 points
Note: Kindly leave a space below the bond paper, and then write
your name and section on it.
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