Mathematics in the Modern World: Uncovering Patterns in Nature - Prof. Peter, Summaries of Microbiology

Download Mathematics in the Modern World: Uncovering Patterns in Nature - Prof. Peter and more Summaries Microbiology in PDF only on Docsity! Racadio, Guen Karyn B. January 28, 2022 BSN 1I MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 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? 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 Are Patterns? All around us, we see a great diversity of living things, from the microscopic to the gigantic, from the simple to the complex, from bright colors to dull ones. One of the most intriguing things we see in nature is patterns. We tend to think of patterns as sequences or designs that are orderly and that repeat. But we can also think of patterns as anything that is not random. For example, we recognize the spots on a giraffe as a pattern, but they're not regular, nor are any of the spots the same size or shape. However, other patterns are orderly as is seen in the symmetry of a sea star or a snowflake. 3. Spirals A spiral is a curved pattern that focuses on a center point and a series of circular shapes that revolve around it. Examples of spirals are pine cones, pineapples, hurricanes. The reason for why plants use a spiral form like the leaf picture above is because they are constantly trying to grow but stay secure. A spiral shape causes plants to condense themselves and not take up as much space, causing it to be stronger and more durable against the elements. 4. Voronoi A Voronoi pattern provides clues to nature’s tendency to favor efficiency: the nearest neighbor, shortest path, and tightest fit. Each cell in a Voronoi pattern has a seed point. Everything inside a cell is closer to it than to any other seed. The lines between cells are always halfway between neighboring seeds. Other examples of Voronoi patterns are the skin of a giraffe, corn on the cob, honeycombs, foam bubbles, the cells in a leaf, and a head of garlic. 5. Spots and Stripes Spotted cats are perhaps the most famous representatives of dot patterns in nature. It is thought that spots help break up the shape of an animal and provide a form of camouflage, which can benefit predators such as cats, and also prey – think for example of spots dappling the fur of baby deer fawns. The stripe pattern is evolutionary in that in increases the chances of survival through camouflage. It is most commonly known in zebras, but other species contain stripes - even butterflies. 8. Concentric Circles Examples of concentric circles can be found in nature. The ripples made when a pebble is dropped in the water are concentric circles. Circular ripples of water. The rings on the inside of a tree's trunk are also concentric circles. REFERENCES: Module 1 Patterns and Number in Nature and the World - https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/marinduque-state-college/bachelor-of- science-in-information-systems/module-1-patterns-and-number-in-nature-and- the-world/17006891 Patterns in Nature: Definition & Examples - https://study.com/academy/lesson/patterns-in-nature-definition-examples.html Math Patterns In Nature - https://www.fi.edu/math-patterns-nature Math in Nature: 5 Stunning Ways We See Math in the World - https://mathgeekmama.com/math-in-nature/