Week 1

Mrs. Mirasol Y. Sarmiento

Teacher

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Course Description

This course deals with nature of mathematics, appreciation of its practical, intellectual, and
aesthetic dimensions, and application of mathematical tools in daily life. The course begins
with an introduction to the nature of mathematics as an exploration of patterns (in nature
and the
environment) and as an application of inductive and deductive reasoning. By exploring these
topics, students are encouraged to go beyond the typical understanding of mathematics as
merely a set of formulas but as a source of aesthetics in patterns of nature, for example, and
a rich language (and of science) governed by logic and reasoning. The course then proceeds
to survey ways in which mathematics provides a tool for understanding and dealing with
various aspects of present-day living, such as managing personal finances, making social
choices, appreciating geometric designs, understanding codes used in data transmission and
security, and dividing limited resources fairly. These aspects will provide opportunities for
doing mathematics in a broad range of exercises that bring out the various dimensions of
mathematics as a way of knowing and test the students' understanding and capacity.
(CMO No. 20, series of 2013).

Learning Outcomes:
Expected Graduate General Learning Outcomes
Attributes

 Productive and  Engage in self-reflection of their

Globally Competitive personal values and the extent to
which their ethical values and
 ICT Literate and behaviors are congruent.
Competent
Communicator  Engage in self-appraisal voluntarily for
academic, personal, and professional
 Socially and advancement.
Community-engaged
Citizen respectful of  Observe moral and ethical standards
cultural differences when responding to situations that
demand ethical inquiry.
 Innovative, Creative,
and Critical Thinker  Express themselves clearly and
appropriately in various social, academic,
 Full of potentials with and professional contexts.
increased self- esteem,
confidence, and  Use appropriate technologies in
resiliency various social, academic, and
professional communication;
 Life- and career-
skilled and talented  Contribute their knowledge and skillsto
Individual their own communities and the broader
society;

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 Explore novel perspectives and
approaches for a wide range of
contexts and everyday situations.

 Develop skills in gathering, organizing,

refining, analyzing, and evaluating
information and ideas necessary for solving
a variety of issues, and present data
graphically.

 Develop new ideas, products, or

solutions aligned to 21st century
milieu.

 Demonstrate skills, knowledge, and values

necessary for effective teamwork in
academic, personal, andprofessional
contexts; and

 Engage in academic, personal, and

professional development necessaryfor
the advancement of the field and society.

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 MODULE CONTENT

COURSE TITLE: Mathematics in the Modern World

MODULE TITLE Lesson 1: The Nature of Mathematics

SPECIFIC LEARNING OOUTCOMES:

At the end of this module, you MUST be able to:

1. Know the subject and the class.

2. Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world.
3. Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life.
4. Argue about the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed,
represented, and used.
5. Express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

TOPIC: (SUBTOPIC)

1. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

2. The Fibonacci Sequence
3. The Golden Ratio

Questions to pose.

(i) Why do you need to study mathematics?

(ii) What is the importance of mathematics in your daily life?

Some ideas to elicit and encourage.

(i) Many patterns and occurrences exist in nature, in our world, in our life.
Mathematics helps makes sense of these patterns and occurrences.
(ii) Mathematics is a tool to quantify, organize, and control our world, predict
phenomena, and make life easier for us.

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Section 1: The Nature of Mathematics

What is MATHEMATICS?

The word Mathematics comes from the Greek word μάθημα (máthēma), which, in the
ancient Greek language means “that which is learnt,” or “lesson” in modern Greek. Máthēma
Is derived from “manthano” while the modern Greek equivalent is “mathaiano” which means
“to learn”.

Mathematics is defined as the science of patterns and relationships.

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines Mathematics as the “science of structure, order,

and relations that has evolved from elemental practices of counting, measuring, and
describing the shapes and characteristics of objects.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICS

The following figure shows the characteristics that make mathematics different from the other
fields of endeavor:

Logical
Sequence
Precision and
Abstractness Accuracy

Mathematica
Structure Characteristics of l Language
Mathematics and
Symbolism

Applicability Generalization
Classification

Figure 1.1. Characteristics of Mathematics

 Classification – generates a series of mental relations through which objects are

grouped according to similarities and differences depending on specific criteria such
as shape, color, size, etc.
 Logical Sequence – it means that each step can be derived logically from the
preceding steps.
 Structure – the structure on a particular mathematical set will allow mathematicians to
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 study the set further and finds it relationship with other objects
 Precision and Accuracy – Accuracy is how close a measured value is to the actual
(true) value. Precision, on the other hand, is how close the measured values are to
each other.
 Abstractness – the process of extracting the underlying essence of a mathematical
concept by taking away any dependence on real-world objects
 Symbolism – The language of Mathematics is the system used by mathematicians to
communicate mathematical ideas using symbols instead of words.
 Applicability – Mathematics can be used in all fields of human endeavor. According to
Kant, “in any special doctrine of nature, there can be only as much proper science as
there is mathematics therein.”
 Generalizations – Making generalizations is fundamental to mathematics. The webster
dictionary defines generalization as the process of “finding and singling out in a whole
class of similar objects.”

NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

A science of
measures
A system of A tool
logical subject
procedures

Nature of
Mathematics

An An
intuitive intellectual
method game
the art of
drawing
conclusions

FIGURE 1.2. Nature of Mathematics

 A science of measures – measurement is an integral part of modern science as

well as of engineering, commerce, and daily life.
 Intellectual game – discovering patterns in mathematics needs patterns of
intellectual skills that make one mathematical abstraction a reality. Games and
mathematics both require a strong dose of patience, restraint, and concentration.
 The art of drawing conclusions – Being able to reason is essential to
understanding mathematics. Reasoning is a way to use mathematical knowledge
and to generate and solidify new mathematical ideas.
 A tool subject – In many fields of human activity, mathematics is undeniably a
highly powerful instrument of investigation.
 A system of logical procedure- problem-solving is an important component of
mathematics. It is also a skill which can enhance our logical reasoning.
 An intuitive method – proving theorems is not mechanical; proving theorems
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 does require formal manipulation. Yet, it also requires the use of intuition, the
ability to see what is reasonable or not, and the ability to put all these together.

MATHEMATICS AS A SCIENCE OF PATTERNS

“A mathematician, like a painter or a poet, is a master of patterns. If his patterns are

more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas” (Hardy, 1992, p. 84)

Patterns, in a mathematical sense, refer to the study of “tilings and wall-paper

symmetries.” This connotes order, regularity, motion, shape, position, and prediction, reveal
the powerful influence mathematics has over people’s perception of reality.

Look at some of the most commonly used Patterns today:

LOGIC PATTERNS
These types of patterns are common in aptitude tests. To construct or solve a pattern,
find the rule for the pattern, understand the nature of the sequence, and analyze the
difference between the two successive terms.

Examples:
1. Look carefully at the sequence of symbols or figures to find the pattern. What should be
the figure in this sequence?

2. What will be the next figure in this sequence?

3. Which figure can be used to continue the series?

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4. If the word MODERN can be encrypted as OQFGTP, how can you code the word
WORLD?

A. YQSNF C. YQUNF
B. YQTNF D. YQPNF

5. In a certain code language, the word PATTERNS can be written TRTRTRTR, how would
you write ALGEBRA in the same code language?

A. RGGRRRG C. GRRGGR
B. GRGRGRG D. RRGGRR

6. Which figure is next in the sequence?

7. What figure should come next in this sequence?

8. What figure should come next in this sequence?

NUMBER PATTERNS
Mathematics is very useful in making predictions. Working with number patterns leads
directly to the concept of functions in mathematics.
The first step in determining the rule that defines the pattern is to look for differences
between two consecutive numbers. The number pattern helps make a generalization of how
the numbers are arranged in a sequence.
If the numbers in a pattern change in the same way or in the same value each time,
then that type of pattern is called a REPEATING PATTERN.

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Example:

1. What is the next number in the sequence: 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, ______?

2. What is the next number in the pattern: 5, 7, 10, 15, 22, ______?

3. What should be the number in the blank? 100, 98, 96, 94, ____?

4. Find the next number in the sequence: 12, 13, 15, 18, 22, _____?

5. Find the missing number in the sequence: 6, 13, 27, 55, 111, ____?

WORD PATTERNS

PATTERNS IN NATURE

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 FIFTEEN (15) INCREDIBLE EXAMPLES OF MATHEMATICS IN NATURE
15 – Snowflakes

 The tiny but miraculous snowflake, as an example of symmetry in nature, exhibits six-
fold radial symmetry, with elaborate, identical patterns on each arm.
 Snowflakes form because water molecules naturally arrange when they solidify. It’s
complicated but, basically, when they crystallize, water molecules form weak hydrogen bonds
with each other.

14 – Sunflowers

Sunflowers or Helianthus are bright yellow flowers of the genus of plants

comprising about 70 species in the family Asteraceae. Sunflowers boast of
radial symmetry.
13 – Uteruses
According to a gynecologist, doctors can tell whether a uterus looks normal
and healthy based on its relative dimensions – dimensions that approximate
the golden ratio. When women are at their most fertile, the ratio of uterus
length to its width is 1.6. This is a very good approximation of the golden ratio.

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the golden ratio. When women are at their most fertile, the ratio of uterus
length to its width is 1.6. This is a very good approximation of the golden ratio.

12 – Nautilus Shell
A nautilus is a cephalopod mollusk with a spiral shell and numerous short
tentacles around its mouth. Although more common in plants, some animals,
like the nautilus, showcase Fibonacci numbers. A nautilus shell is grown in a
Fibonacci spiral. The spiral occurs as the shell grows outwards and tries to
maintain its proportional shape.

11 – Romanesco Broccoli
Romanesco broccoli is a very good example of fractal symmetry pattern in
nature.

10 – Pinecones

Pinecones have seed pods that arrange in a spiral pattern. They consist of a
pair of spirals, each one twisting upwards in opposing directions. The number
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of steps will almost always match a pair of consecutive Fibonacci numbers.
For example, a three–to–five cone meets at the back after three steps along
the left spiral and five steps along the right. This spiraling Fibonacci pattern
also occurs in pineapples and artichokes.

9 – Honeycombs
Honeycombs are an example of wallpaper symmetry. This is where a pattern
is repeated until it covers a plane. Other examples include mosaics and tiled
floors. Mathematicians believe bees build these hexagonal constructions
because itis the shape most efficient for storing the largest possible amount
of honey while using the least amount of wax. Shapes like circles would leave
gaps between the cells because they don’t fit perfectly together.

8 – Tree Branches
The Fibonacci sequence is so widespread in nature that it can also be seen in
the way tree branches form and split. The main trunk of a tree will grow until it
produces a branch, which creates two growth points. One of the new stems
will then branch into two, while the other lies dormant. This branching pattern
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repeats for each of the new stems. A good example is the sneezewort, a
Eurasian plant of the daisy family whosedry leaves induce sneezing.

7 – Milky Way Galaxy

Symmetry and mathematical patterns seem to exist everywhere on Earth

– the Milky Way Galaxy was discovered, and, by studying this, astronomers
now believe the galaxy is a near-perfect mirror image of itself.
Having mirror symmetry, the Milky Way has another amazing design. Like
nautilus shells and sunflowers, each ‘arm’ of the galaxy symbolizes a
logarithmic spiral that begins at the galaxy’s center and expands outwards.

6 – Faces

Humans possess bilateral symmetry.

Faces, both human and otherwise, are rife with examples of the Golden Ratio.
Mouths and noses are positioned at golden sections of the distance between
the eyes and the bottom of the chin. Comparable proportions can be seen
from the side, and even the eye and ear itself, which follows along a spiral.
For example, the most beautiful smiles are those in which central incisors are
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1.618 wider than the lateral incisors, which are 1.618 wider than canines, and
so on.

5 – Orb Web Spiders

Orb web spiders create near-perfect circular webs that have near-equal-
distanced radial supports coming out of the middle and a spiral that is woven
to catch prey. Orb webs are built for strength, with radial symmetry helping to
evenly distribute the force of impact when a spider’s prey contacts the web.
This would mean there’d be less rips in the thread.

4 – Crop Circles
Crop circles are a sight to behold because they’re so geometrically
impressive. A study conducted by physicist Richard Taylor
revealed that, somewhere in the world, a new crop circle is
created every night, and that most designs demonstrate a wide
variety of symmetry and mathematical patterns, including Fibonacci
spirals and fractals.

3 – Starfish

Starfish or sea stars belong to a phylum of marine creatures called

echinoderm. Other notable echinoderm includes sea urchins, brittle stars,
seacucumbers and sand dollars.
The larvae of echinoderms have bilateral symmetry, meaning the organism’s
left and ride side form a mirror image.
Sea stars or starfish are invertebrates that typically have five or more ‘arms.
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These radiate from an indistinct disk and form something known as
pentaradial symmetry.

2 – Peacocks
The peacock takes the earlier principle of using symmetry to attract a mate to
the nth degree. Male peacocks utilize their variety of adaptations to seduce
sultry peahens. These include bright colors, a large size, a symmetrical body
shape and repeated patterns in their feathers.

1 – Sun-Moon Symmetry

The sun has a diameter of 1.4 million kilometers, while his sister, the Moon,
has a meagre diameter of 3,474 kilometers. With these figures, it seems near
impossible that the moon can block the sun’s light and give us around five
solar eclipses every two years.

By sheer coincidence, the sun’s width is roughly four hundred times larger
than that of the moon, while the sun is about four hundred times further away.
The symmetry in this ratio causes the moon and sun to appear almost the
same size when seen from Earth, and, therefore, it becomes possible for the
moon to block the sun when the two align.

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