Chapter 1 The Nature of Mathematics

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, the student will be able to:
1. identify patterns in nature;
2. use mathematics to think about the world and nature;
3. articulate the importance of mathematics in his/her life; and
4. express appreciation for mathematics as a human endeavor.

Introduction
Mathematics is more than numbers and the variable x. It does not end in finding the value of a
variable nor finding the solution set. It is more than graphing on a Cartesian Plane and constructing a three-
dimensional figure. During your Practical Research subject, Mathematics plays a big role in collecting,
organization, and presentation of your data. However, its application goes beyond than that of a
requirement. So, what is Mathematics? What role does mathematics play in your life? In this chapter, you
will find out how mathematics is reflected in our nature.

Topic Overview
1. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
2. The Fibonacci Sequence
3. Numbers and Patterns

A. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World

Watch the Nature by Numbers, a short video by Cristobal Vila. Click HERE.
▪ What are the different kinds and forms of patterns you have seen in the video and/or pictures?
▪ How does these patterns help us understand the connection between our world and mathematics?

Patterns
In general sense of the world, patterns are regular, repeated, or recurring forms or designs.
Patterns in nature are visible uniformities of form found in the natural world. These patterns recur in
different contexts and can sometimes be modelled mathematically. Natural patterns include symmetries,
trees, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, tessellations, cracks and stripes.
Here are some of the examples of patterns that we see in nature.

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 In conclusion, we see patterns every day – from the layout of floor tiles, designs of skyscrapers, to
the way we tie our shoelaces. Studying patterns helps us find and identify the relationships and logical
connections to form generalizations and make predictions.

B. The Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci known also as Leonardo of Pisa , is an Italian Mathematician in the Republic of Pisa was
tagged as the most talented mathematician of the Middle Ages, who -along with his several works
introduced first to the Western European the Fibonacci numbers in his book Liber Abaci.
Fibonacci numbers, commonly denoted of Fn, form a sequence called Fibonacci sequence, such
that each successive number is the sum of the two previous numbers, starting from 0 and 1.

That is the first sequence is 𝐹0 followed by 𝐹1 as the second number of the sequence. The first two
terms are 𝐹0 = 0 and 𝐹0 = 1. and the next sequence Fen is given by the formula.
𝐹𝑛 = 𝐹𝑛−1 + 𝐹𝑛−1 for 𝑛 < 1.
Where:
𝐹𝑛−1 = the previous term
𝐹𝑛−2 = the term before Fn−1
So, to get the 8th term, which is 21, the sixth term and the seventh term are added. So, 8 + 13 = 21.
Therefore, adding the two consecutive terms will result to another term of the Fibonacci Sequence.
What is the 80th term of the Fibonacci Sequence? It may take you an hour or more to find it.
However, one may calculate the Fibonacci number using the Golden Ratio. It is usually denoted using the
Greek letter “phi” φ or ϕ. The Golden Ratio is a special number which is approximately equal to 1.618034
and may be used to find the nth term of a Fibonacci Sequence using the Binet’s formula.
To find the nth of Fibonacci Sequence, we use this formula:
𝑛 𝑛
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝐹𝑛 =
√5

Try this!
Find the following terms of the Fibonacci Sequence.
a. 35th term: __________
b. 40th term: __________
c. 47th term: __________

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C. Numbers and Patterns

Patterns in Mathematics
In Mathematics, a pattern is a repeated arrangement of numbers, shapes, colors and so on.
The Pattern can be related to any type of event or object. If the set of numbers are related to each other in
a specific rule, then the rule or manner is called a pattern. Sometimes, patterns are also known as a
sequence. Patterns are finite or infinite in numbers.
For example, in a sequence 2,4,6,8, each number is increasing by sequence 2. So, the last number
will be 8 + 2 = 10.
Few examples of numerical patterns are:
Even numbers pattern -: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 1, 14, 16, 18, …
Odd numbers pattern -: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, …
Fibonacci numbers pattern -: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 ,13, 21, … and so on.

Number Patterns
A list of numbers that follow a certain sequence is known as patterns or number patterns. The
different types of number patterns are algebraic or arithmetic pattern, geometric pattern, Fibonacci pattern
and so on. Now, let us take a look at the three different patterns here.

Arithmetic Pattern
The arithmetic pattern is also known as the algebraic pattern. In an arithmetic pattern, the
sequences are based on the addition or subtraction of the terms. If two or more terms in the
sequence are given, we can use addition or subtraction to find the arithmetic pattern.
For example, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, __, 14, __. Now, we need to find the missing term in the
sequence. Here, we can use the addition process to figure out the missing terms in the patterns. In
the pattern, the rule used is “Add 2 to the previous term to get the next term”. In the example given
above, take the second term (4). If we add “2” to the second term (4), we get the third term 6.
Similarly, we can find the unknown terms in the sequence.
First missing term: The previous term is 10. Therefore, 10+2 = 12.
Second missing term: The previous term is 14. So, 14+2 = 16
Hence, the complete arithmetic pattern is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

Geometric Pattern
The geometric pattern is defined as the sequence of numbers that are based on the
multiplication and division operation. Similar to the arithmetic pattern, if two or more numbers in the
sequence are provided, we can easily find the unknown terms in the pattern using multiplication and
division operation.
For example, 8, 16, 32, __, 128, __. It is a geometric pattern, as each term in the sequence
can be obtained by multiplying 2 with the previous term.

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 For example, 32 is the third term in the sequence, which is obtained by multiplying 2 with the
previous term 16.
Likewise, we can find the unknown terms in the geometric pattern.
First missing term: The previous term is 32. Multiply 32 by 2, we get 64.
Second missing term: The previous term is 128. Multiply 128 by 2, we get 256.
Hence, the complete geometric pattern is 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256.

Fibonacci Pattern
The Fibonacci Pattern is defined as the sequence of numbers, in which each term in the
sequence is obtained by adding the two terms before it, starting with the numbers 0 and 1. The
Fibonacci pattern is given as 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, … and so on.

Types of Patterns
In Discrete Mathematics, we have three types of patterns as follows:
• Repeating – A type of pattern, in which the rule keeps repeating over and over is called a repeating
pattern.
• Growing – If the numbers are present in the increasing form, then the pattern is known as a growing
pattern. Example 34, 40, 46, 52, ….
• Shirking – In the shirking pattern, the numbers are in decreasing form. Example: 42, 40, 38, 36 ….

Rules for Patterns in Math

To construct a pattern, we have to know about some rules. To know about the rule for any pattern,
we have to understand the nature of the sequence and the difference between the two successive terms.

1. Finding Missing Term: Consider a pattern 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?. In this pattern, it is clear that every
number is the square of their position number. The missing term takes place at n = 6. So, if the
missing is 𝑥𝑛 , then 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑛2. Here, 𝑛 = 6, then 𝑥𝑛 = (6)2 = 36.

2. Difference Rule: Sometimes, it is easy to find the difference between two successive terms. For
example, consider 1, 5, 9, 13, ……. In this type of pattern, first, we have to find the difference
between two pairs of the sequence. After that, find the remaining elements of the pattern. In the
given problem, the difference between the terms is 4, i.e. If we add 4 and 1, we get 5, and if we add
4 and 5, we get 9 and so on.

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References
◼ Cordial, R. et al. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc.
◼ Manlulu, E.A et. al. (2019). RBS A Course Module for Mathematics in the Modern World. Rex Book
Store, Inc.
◼ Aufmann, R. et al. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Rex Book Store, Inc.
◼ Vila, C. (2010, March 5). NATURE BY NUMBERS. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/9953368
◼ Patterns in Maths (Definition, Types & Examples) | Arithmetic & Geometric Pattern. (n.d.). BYJUS.
Retrieved March 20, 2023, from
https://byjus.com/maths/patterns/#:~:text=There%20are%20different%20types%20of

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