CORE IDEA:

Mathematics is a useful way to

think about nature and our world.

MAHALAGANG KAISIPAN:
Ang Matematika ay isang kapaki
pakinabang na paraan ng pag-iisip
tungkol sa kalikásan at sa ating

mundo.

Mathematics is a useful way to think about nature and our world. For
instance, in understanding the patterns and numbers in nature and the world
such as the snowflake and honeycomb; tiger’s stripes and hyena’s spots; the
sunflower; the snail’s shell’ flower petals, the world’s population, the weather,
etc.

Bear in mind that Mathematics helps (us) organize patterns and

regularities in the world, helps predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in
the world, helps control nature and occurrences in the world for our own ends
and it has numerous applications in the world making it indispensable.

After successfully completing this module, you should be able to:

1. identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world;
2. articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life;
3. identify Fibonacci sequence in nature;
4. determine the nth term of a Fibonacci Sequence;
5. use Golden ratio in appreciating Mathematics in human anatomy and in photography;
6. examine the nature and relationship of numbers in a sequence; and
7. determine the nth term of a number sequence.

What is Mathematics?
Of course, you are aware that Mathematics is the study of numbers and arithmetic operations. You might
add as well that, it is a set of tools or a collection of skills that can be applied to questions of “how many” or “how
much”. In addition, you can say that Mathematics is a science which involves logical reasoning, drawing conclusions
from assumed premises, systematized knowledge, and strategic reasoning based on accepted rules, laws, or
probability. Or perhaps at the back of your mind, you might be thinking that it is an art which studies patterns for
predictive purposes or as a specialized language which deals with form size, and quantity.

You are right. But keep in mind that whatever point of view we take, there is no denying the fact that
Mathematics is universal, meaning people from around the world use it to get things done. It helps us perform daily
tasks as well as make important decisions like buying wisely, choosing the most appropriate insurance plan, or even
betting on an outcome with the highest chance actually occurring. We all use the same mathematical concepts and
language regardless of whether we are Asians, Americans, Africans, or Europeans.
However, for the sake of deep understanding and uniformity of ideas, in this course through this module,
still, we will be defining Mathematics. According to Ian Stewart, it is developed by human mind and culture, is a
formal system of thought for recognizing, classifying, and exploiting patterns. Patterns that surround us. In fact,
pattern is everywhere; we just need to learn to notice them.
Mathematics is perceived as a study of numbers, symbols, and equations, an art of geometric shapes and
patterns, a universal language, a toll in decision-making and problem solving, and a way of life to be exact and
precise.
Indeed, mathematics is a study of patterns, an art, a language, a set of problem solving tools, and a
process of thinking. (Nocon and Nocon).
The diagram below shows the nature of mathematics as illustrated by Nocon and Nocon:

Where is Mathematics?
Believe it or not, Mathematics is all around us. Often we do not realize it, though. In fact, the modern world
runs on mathematics. It provides a way to make things work better and more efficiently. Well, if you are still
confused and in denial that Math is all around us, the discussion below will help you understand more where exactly
Mathematics is situated.
Firstly, Mathematics is in every people’s daily task or activity. From the very moment you open your eyes in
the morning, telling time, cooking, eating, and even when you are cleaning or decorating your homes. There is
math. How long, how many, the combinations or mixtures of the ingredients, the distance of one frame from another
and so, and so on. At work, how long have you been working in a day? How much do you make an hour? Next is
shopping. The prices especially the discounts no matter how small or big are they, Math is there. Travelling. The
distance from your house to the next destination you going to. How fast did you get there whether you are using a
vehicle or by your bare foot. Then goes when you are thinking specifically in making decision, you have to weigh
things properly, sometimes you have to rethink over and over again. Logic, to be precise. The stronger your logic
skills become, the more efficient you will be in your everyday life, and the more you will be able to
navigate the society we’ve built for ourselves. To sum it up, in everything we do, there is math,
always. Secondly, it is in nature, arts, music, medicine, and other disciplines. Let’s discuss
it one by one.

1. It is in nature for Mathematics reveals hidden patterns that help us understand the world around
 us. As we discover more and more about our environment and our surroundings we see that nature can be
described mathematically. The beauty of every flower, the majesty of different trees, even the rocks, all of
them, exhibits nature’s sense of symmetry. The shapes of the hills, mountains, and volcanoes, different
habitat like the beehives, and many more.
2. In arts. It is said that mathematics and arts have a long historical relationship. In fact,
Mathematics has directly influenced art with conceptual tools such as linear perspective, the analysis of
symmetry, and mathematical objects such as polyhedra and the like. Mathematics can be discerned in arts
such as music, dance, painting, architecture, sculpture, and textiles.
3. Music. Since music is a form of art, then that explains that Math is in music. For further
explanation, counting, rhythm, scales, intervals, patterns, symbols, harmonies, time signatures, overtones,
tone, pitch and even notations of composers and sounds made by musicians are connected to
mathematics.
4. Medicine. Mathematics plays a crucial role in medicine and because people's lives are involved,
it is very important for nurses and doctors to be very accurate in their mathematical calculations. Indeed,
numbers provide information for doctors, nurses, and even patients. Apart from that, In the survey article
made by Ahmed I. Zayed (May 2019) titled “A new perspective on the role of Mathematics in medicine”,
reflected there that one of the ubiquitous (universal) applications of ma mathematics in medicine is the use
of probability and statistics in validating the
effectiveness of new drugs, or procedures, or estimating the survival rate of cancer patients undergoing
certain treatments.
5. Other disciplines. Apart from music, arts, and medicine, Mathematics can also be found in other
disciplines or specializations. Disciplines such as education, business, engineering, sciences, sports and
many more.
Thirdly, Mathematics is in communities. The rest of the things that we discussed above is situated in a
community. A person lives in a community. Music is played, sang and constructed in a community. Medical
operations and application are done in communities and the rest of the disciplines that we have are all visible in a
community. So, don’t you dare disagree that math is in community.
Lastly, Mathematics is everywhere. After all the explanations, I think this one is self-

explanatory! What is Mathematics for?

Mathematics is extremely useful in making conclusions and/or prediction of the events of the world. It is use
to describe the natural order and occurrences of the universe. In addition, it is use to organize patterns and
regularities as well as irregularities, to help us control weather and epidemics, to provide tools for calculations, and
to provide new questions to think about. (Vistru-Yu PPT presentation)
Here are some of the uses of Mathematics:
1. Mathematics is useful in making conclusions and/or predictions of the events of the world.
2. Mathematics is used to describe the natural order and occurrences of the universe.
3. Mathematics is used to organize patterns and regularities as well as irregularities
4. Mathematics helps to control weather and epidemics.
5. Mathematics provides tools for calculations
6. Mathematics provides new questions to think about.

What is mathematics all about?

Mathematics is about numbers, symbols, equations, operations, functions, calculations, abstractions, and
devising proofs.
 How is Mathematics done?
Mathematics is done with curiosity, with a penchant for seeking patterns and generalities, with a desire to
know the truth, with trial and error, and without fear of facing more questions and problems to solve. (Vistru-Yu)
What comes on your mind upon seeing or hearing the question? Basically, one will say just simply add,
subtract, multiply, divide, or sometimes you have to perform two or all of the four operations at once. But apart from
the usual application of the four fundamentals operation, there’s a lot of ways on how one should do math. Here’s
how.
1. Mathematics is done with curiosity?
A problem, no matter how easy, average, or difficult it is, will remain a problem if one will not be curious
enough to answer it. Do you think we will be able to figure out why pineapple’s skin looks that way if none pays
attention to it? What about the hexagonal shapes in the dragonfly’s eyes are you aware of that? The rest of the
things that we enjoyed, currently enjoying, and we will be enjoying still, started with one’s curiosity.
2. Mathematics is done with a penchant for seeking patterns and generalities.
Solving mathematical problems is as simple as performing the four fundamental operations. However, if
you are not that interested, or you easily give up especially when you fail to answer it after a giving a try, you will
never be able to answer it correctly. You have to love mathematics as well as doing it most especially that it is in our
daily task or activity.
3. Mathematics is done with the desire to know the truth.
4. Mathematics is done with trial and error.
Let us explain this sentences together. The most effective medicine of a certain disease won’t be
formulated and generated in just an attempt or by an overnight process. It takes a lot of computations, validations,
and process trial and error. However, no matter how impossible it is, like cancer before, because of one’s desire to
the truth, that cancer is curable, it made possible. At present, cancer is now curable. Sooner or later, covid-19 will
be over because a lot of medical people and researchers are working so hard, they keep on trying over and over
again, and giving up is not an option. We will be able to have that vaccine that will surely and completely end that
virus.
5. Mathematics done without fear of facing more questions and problems to solve.
Assuming that you wake up one day with the vaccine over the covid-19 virus. DO you really think
everybody or majority will believe you that your vaccine will end the pandemic? Definitely not! However, it should
and must not stop you from doing that. You have to be strong enough to answers all allegations against you and
your vaccine. In case proven that’s till, not the vaccine that we are all waiting for, redo your experimentations,
considering the different aspect that you unintentionally missed. Never mind the negative comments or whatever not
so good thing that people will throw to you. Present it again, until proven that you have conquered, and you now
have with you the answer to the pandemic that we are all experiencing now.
Why is Mathematics important to know or to learn?
Any guess why? Probably you will say, for you and the rest of the students like you to be able to pass the next quiz
or final examination so that all of you will be able to move on to the higher level or next course of your program of
study. Others will say it is totally unnecessary; specifically, for those who hate math over anything, while
professional people will utter that they need math to balance checkbooks or for a promotion and the like. Yes, those
can be, but then again, I might say that those are just personal reasons or explanations over the importance of
mathematics in one’s life. What about in a wider sense? In a global aspect, why do you think we need to know or
learn math? Here are some answers to ponder.
1. Mathematics puts order in disorder. We, humans, are all busy. Admit it or not, but yes we are. In our daily
task, Mathematics helps us to be organized specifically in managing your time. Take a look of your
schedule as a student. There is a smooth flow your daily schooling if all teachers followed their schedule
(time per subject). Another in arranging something. You can always put everything in one place. But does it
looks pleasing? Not at all, right? But through math, the arrangement of the sizes, shapes, ordering, and the
like, everything seem to be in the right place. The proper dosage of medicine. A medicine will only be
effective if properly prescribed and with of course with proper dosage. I mean a 500 mg of a certain
medical drugs will effect differently from a 1000 mg of the like. If mistakenly taken, instead of getting better,
the worst scenario is that it may end your life. So be extra careful in taking med.
2. Mathematics helps us become better persons. It allows each of us to develop or enhance our problem-
solving skills and become a better problem-solver. Indeed, Mathematics helps us think analytically. Other
qualities that can be enhance by mathematics involve reasoning, critical thinking, and even one’s
creativity. Math will definitely change your life, if properly done it can place you in your most unimagined
situation. The same applies if not properly practiced. So, again, be careful!
3. Mathematics helps make a world a better place to live in. As simple as you want to live peacefully and
prevent chaos then do mathematics correctly. When everything is in order, at peace, no one will say “Ayaw
ko na sa Earth!” We usually see or hear that line whenever uncertainties favor them. But with smooth flow
of daily routine, instead of that statement, they will utter, there’s no other place I’d rather be but Earth!