The Nature of Mathematics Explored

The Nature of
Mathematics
athematics in our World
• Mathematical Language and
Symbols
•Problem Solving and Reasoning
Mathematics in our World
Core Idea:
Mathematics is a useful way to think about

nature and our world.
The Elephant and the 6 Blind Men
Getting to know mathematics
What is it?
Where is it?
What is it for?
What is it about?
How is it done?
Who uses Mathematics?
Why is it important to learn or know?
What is mathematics?
Some say…
It is a study of numbers and

arithmetic operations.
Some say…
It is a tool or collection of skills

that help us answer question of
“HOW MANY” or “HOW MUCH”.
Some say…
It is a science of logical reasoning,

drawing conclusions from
assumed premises or
strategic reasoning.
What ever the point of view we take,

there is no denying the fact that
MATHEMATICS IS UNIVERSAL.
We have developed a formal system of thought for
recognizing, classifying, and exploiting patterns called
mathematics.
The origins of counting
Geometric patterns
Wave patterns in water and land
Patterns of movement
Fractals: the new science of
irregularity; a never ending pattern
Where is mathematics?
We see hints or clues of it in nature
In our daily routine
In our work
In people and communities
In events
What is mathematics about?
Numbers, symbols, notations
Operations, equations and functions
Processes and “thingification” of process (that are
abstractions, e.g. 2)
Proof – a story rather than a sequence of statements
How is mathematics done?
With curiosity
With penchant for seeking patterns and generalities
With a desire to know the truth
With trial and error
Without fear of facing more questions and problems to
solve
Who uses mathematics?
Mathematicians: pure and applied
Scientist: natural and social
Practically, everyone
But, different people use different
mathematics at different times, for
different purposes, using different
tools, with different attitudes
Why is it important to know?
It puts order in disorder.

It helps us become better person.
It helps make the world a better place to
live in.
Patterns in Nature
Patterns surrounds us in nature. They’ll tell you how

things work on our planet, if you know where to look to find
them.
Out the window, through a microscope, or in the mirror-
patterns surrounds us.
Patterns in Nature
Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in

the natural world. These patterns recur in different context
and can sometimes be modeled mathematically.
Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals,
meanders, waves, foams, tessellations, cracks and stripes.
Patterns in Nature
Symmetry
- is pervasive in living things.
- Animals mainly have bilateral or
mirror symmetry, as do the leaves
of plants and some flowers.
Patterns in Nature
Trees, Fractals
-Fractals are infinitely self-similar,
iterated mathematical construct.
- Fractal-like patterns occur in nature, in phenomena such
as clouds, river networks, geologic fault lines, mountains,
coastline, animal coloration, snow flakes, crystals, blood
vessel branching and ocean waves.
Patterns in Nature
Spirals
-are common to animals such
as mollusks.
- Plant spirals can be seen in
phyllotaxis (the arrangement of
leaves on a stem) and in flower
heads.
Patterns in Nature
Waves, dunes
-Waves are disturbances that
carry energy as they move.
- Dunes may form a range of
patterns including crescents,
very long straight lines, stars,
Domes, parabolas or seif.
Patterns in Nature
Bubbles, foam
-A foam is a mass of bubbles;
foams of different materials
occur in nature.
- At the scale of living cells,
foam patterns are common.
Patterns in Nature
Tessellations
-are patterns formed by repeating
tiles all over a flat surface.
Patterns in Nature
Cracks
-are linear openings that form in
Materials to relieve stress.
Pattern of cracks indicates whether
the material is elastic or not.
Patterns in Nature
Spots, stripes
-these patterns have an
evolutionary explanations.
One function of animal patterns
is camouflage
Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci sequence was invented by
The Italian Leonardo Pisano Bigollo
(1180-1250), who is known in mathematical
history by several names:
Leonardo of Pisa and
Fibonacci (son of Bonacci)
The Fibonacci sequence was the
outcome of a mathematical problem
about rabbit breeding.
Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci’s Rabbit Problem
If 2 newborn rabbits are put in a pen, how many
rabbits will be in the pen after 1 year?
Assume that rabbits…

…always produce one male and one female offspring
…can reproduce once every month
…can reproduce once they are one month old
…never die!
Fibonacci sequence
The first two numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 1
and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the
previous two. The sequence Fn is of Fibonacci numbers is
defined by the recurrence relation
Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2,
with seed values F1 = 1 and F2 = 1.

Fibonacci sequence
n Fibonacci
number
Fibonacci sequence
Find the Fibonacci number using the Binet’s formula
n n
�
1+ 5 � � 1- 5 �
� �- � �
� 2 � � 2 �
Fn =
5
Golden Ratio
n Fibonacci Fn / Fn-1
number
Golden Ratio
The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio. It is commonly
found in nature, and when used in design, it fosters organic
and natural looking compositions that are aesthetically
pleasing to the eye.
But what exactly is the golden ratio and how can you use
it to improve your own designs?
Golden Ratio
The golden ratio (also known as the Golden Section,
Golden Mean, Divine Proportion, or the Greek letter Phi)
exists when a line is divided into two parts and the longer
part (a) divided by the smaller part (b) is equal to the sum of
(a) + (b) divided by (a), which both equal to 1.618.
Golden Ratio
In design, the golden ratio boils down to aesthetics –
creating and appreciating a sense of beauty through
harmony and proportion. When applied to design, the
golden ratio provides a sense of artistry; an X-factor; a
certain je ne sais quoi.
This harmony and proportion has been recognized for
thousands of centuries:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/golden-ratio.html
Golden Ratio
Pyramids in Giza
Golden Ratio
Parthenon in Athens
Golden Ratio
Michaelangelo’s “ The Creation of Adam”
on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Golden Ratio
Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
Golden Ratio
Logos
Golden Ratio
Our bodies and faces even follow the mathematical ratio:
Golden Ratio
Golden Ratio
Golden Ratio
Golden Ratio
The golden ratio can be applied to shapes too. Take a
square and multiply one side of by 1.618 and you get a
rectangle of harmonious proportion:
Golden Ratio
Now, if you lay the square over the rectangle the two shapes
will give you the golden ratio:
Golden Ratio
If you keep applying the golden ratio formula to the new
rectangle on the far right of the image above, you will
eventually get this diagram with progressively smaller
squares:
Golden Ratio
By adding the arch in each square, you’ll end up with the
diagram of the Golden Spiral:
Golden Ratio
Trace a circle within each square, then you’ll have circles
that follow the 1:1.618 are in the balanced proportion to
each other.

The Nature of Mathematics Explored

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The Nature of Mathematics Explored

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The Nature of

Mathematics is a useful way to think about

It is a study of numbers and

It is a tool or collection of skills

It is a science of logical reasoning,

What ever the point of view we take,

It puts order in disorder.

Patterns surrounds us in nature. They’ll tell you how

Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in

Assume that rabbits…

with seed values F1 = 1 and F2 = 1.

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