GE103 - MATHEMATICS IN THE MODEN WORLD

REVIEWER
JHAMER ABARINTOS
Applied mathematics - is the branch of
MODULE 1 - THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICS mathematics that are involved in the study of the
physical, biological, or sociological world.
Without mathematics, there's nothing you can do.
Everything around you is mathematics. Everything Pure mathematics - is driven by abstract
around you is numbers. problems, rather than real world problems. Much
of what's pursued by pure mathematicians can
–Shakuntala Devi have their roots in concrete physical problems, but
a deeper understanding of these phenomena
MATHEMATICS: AN OVERVIEW brings about a problems and technicalities.
According to John William Navin Sullivan, a The Universal Turing Machine - which began as
famous science writer, "Mathematics, as much as an abstract idea, later laid the groundwork for the
music or any other art, is one of the means by development of the modern computer. Pure
which we rise to a complete self- consciousness. mathematics is abstract and based in theory, and
The significance of mathematics resides precisely is thus not constrained by the limitations of the
in the fact that it is an art: by informing us of the physical world.
nature of our own minds, it informs us of much
that depends on our minds." YOU AND MATHEMATICS

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Learning math is good for your brain.
PYTHAGORAS – “The Fathers of Math helps you with your finances

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Numbers“ discovered numerical reasons in Math helps us have better problem-solving skills.
musical harmony. Practically every career uses math in some way.

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Math is all around us understand the world better.
MATHEMATICS - comes from the Greek μάθημα Math is a universal language.
(máthēma), which, in the ancient Greek language,
means that which is learnt." or "lesson" in modern
Greek. Mathema is derived from "manthano"
while the modern Greek equivalent is "mathaino"
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MODULE 2 - MATHEMATICS IN OUR WORLD
A
Mathematics is the science of patterns, and
B
which means to learn. nature exploits just about every pattern that there
is.
A
ORIGIN OF MATHEMATICS
– Ian Stewart
PLATO – pioneered the study of the ontology of
Mathematical object. PATTERNS IN NATURE
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ARISTOTLE – studied logic and issues related to Symmetry comes from a Greek word which
infinity. means “to measure together" Mathematically,
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symmetry means that one shape becomes exactly

2 SCHOOL OF THOUGHTS like another shape when you move it in some way.
furniture, flip, or slide. For two objects to be
1. REALISM - math exist objectively and symmetrical, they must be of the same size and
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independent of human thought Mathematical shape, with one object having a different
concepts are disembodied in the universe and orientation from the first. Not all objects have
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available for us to uncover and bring into practical symmetry. If an object is not symmetrical, it is
use. called asymmetric.
2. ANTI – REALISM / IDEALISM – holds that The left and right portions are exactly the same.
mathematics is a product of the human This type of symmetry, known as line or bilateral
imagination and is carefully engineered to make symmetry, is evident in most animals, including
formal statement about nature in order to aid our humans. Look in a mirror and see how the left and
understanding of the behaviour of the universe. right sides of your face closely match.
IMPORTANCE OF MATHEMATICS If you rotate the lily flower above by several
degrees you can still achieve the appearance as
 GE103 - MATHEMATICS IN THE MODEN WORLD
REVIEWER
JHAMER ABARINTOS 2 2 2
side 3 (2cm) ∙ 3 4cm ∙ 3
the original position. This is known as radial or
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Area = = = = 3 cm
4 4 4
rotational symmetry.
The smallest angle that a figure can be rotated This gives the area of the hexagon as 6 3 cm . 2

while sill preserving the original formation is called Looking at the figure, there are 3 circles that could
the angle of rotation. fit inside one hexagon (1 whole and 6 one-thirds),
The Streptococcus bacteria exhibits spherical which gives the total area as 3π cm . The 2

geometry as anyway you cut it along its center, it percentage of the hexagons area covered by the
will generate two identical halves. An endless, or circles will be
great but finite, number of symmetry axes can be
100%= 63π3cm ×100%≈ 90.69%
2
area of circles cm
drawn through the body. area of ℎexagon
× 2

ORDER OF ROTATION NUMBER PATTERNS

A snowflake has a rotational symmetry of order n
(n-fold rotational symmetry) if 1/n of a complete TYPE OF DEFINITION
turn leaves the figure unchanged. To compute for PROGRESSION
the angle of rotation, we use the following

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formula Arithmetic It is a sequence of numbers
Sequence such that the difference

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360° between the consecutive
terms is constant. The

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angle of rotation =
n
constant is called a common
HONEYCOMB TILING difference.
Another marvel of nature's design is the structure
and shape of a honeycomb. People have long
wondered how bees, despite their very small size,
are able to produce such arrangement while
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Geometric
Sequence
A It is a sequence of numbers
where each term after the
first is found by multiplying
the previous one by a fixed,
B
humans would generally need the use of a ruler non-zero number called the
and compass to accomplish the same feat. It is common ratio.
A
observed that such formation enables the bee Harmonic It is a sequence formed by
colony to maximize their storage of honey using Sequence taking the reciprocals of an
the smallest amount of wax. arithmetic sequence.
Fibonacci It is a sequence such that
Packing problems involve finding the optimum Sequence each number is the sum of
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method of filling up a given space such as a cubic the two preceding ones,
or spherical container. The bees have instinctively starting from 0 and 1.
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found the best solution, evident in the hexagonal

construction of their hives. These geometric FIBONACCI SEQUENCE IN NATURE
patterns are not only simple and beautiful, but
also optimally functional. Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci (c. 1170
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-1250) is one of the best-known mathematicians

For square packing, the square will have an area of medieval Europe. In 1202, after a trip that took
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of 16 cm . Note from the figure that the square can

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him to several Arab and Eastern countries,
fit only four circles (1 whole, 4 halves and 4 Fibonacci wrote the book Liber Abaci.
quarters). The percentage of the square's area
covered by circles will be SPIRALS
area of circles
100%= 4π cm
×100% ≈78.54
2
Spiral patterns can be seen in whirlpools, plants,
area ofcircles
=×
16 cm
2 and in the shells of snails and other similar
For hexagonal packing, we can think of each molluscs. Most spirals in nature are logarithmic or
hexagon as composed of six equilateral triangles equiangular spiral which follows the rule that as
with side equal to 2 cm. The area of each triangle the distance from the spiral center increases
is given by (radius), the amplitudes of the angles formed by
the radii to the point and the tangent to the point
remain constant.
 GE103 - MATHEMATICS IN THE MODEN WORLD
REVIEWER
JHAMER ABARINTOS
The iconic image of Fibonacci numbers in nature
is the Fibonacci spiral or golden spiral which is a A syntax organizes symbols into linear structures
type of logarithmic spiral. It’s made up of square is or propositions.
blocks arranged in order by Fibonacci numbers.
The vertices are then joined together as show in
the image on the left to generate the spiral. A narrative or discourse consists of strings of
syntactic propositions.
GOLDEN RATIO
There must be (or have been) a group of people
The ratios of successive Fibonacci numbers who use and understand the symbols.
approach the number φ (Phi), also known as the
golden ratio. This is approximately equal to 1.618. CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE
The golden ratio can also be expressed as the
ratio Precise – able to make very fin distinctions
between two numbers, if the latter is also the ratio
between the sum and the larger of the two Concise – able to say things briefly
numbers. Geometrically, it can also be visualized

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as a rectangle perfectly formed by a square and Powerful – able to express complex thoughts with
another rectangle, which can be repeated relative ease

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infinitely inside each section. This rectangle is
called the golden rectangle. The mathematical analogue of a noun is called a

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mathematical expression. A mathematical
MODULE 3 - THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS expression is a name given to some mathematical
AND ITS SYMBOLS
The laws of nature are written by the hand of God
in the language of mathematics.
Iobject of interest. In mathematics, an object of
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interest is often a number, a set, or a function.
A
Examples: (Synonyms)
52 + 3
B
—Galileo Galilei 10 ÷ 2
(6 − 2) + 1
A
THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS 1+1+1+1+1
DEFINITION OF LANGUAGE Mathematical sentence is the analogue of an
English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of
A language may be a system of words or codes mathematical symbols that states a complete
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used within a discipline. thought.

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Language may refer to a system of Example:

communication using symbols or 1 + 2 = 3- SENTENCE
sounds. 1+2 and 3 - EXPRESSION
= - VERB
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Language is a set of sentences constructed using

a finite set of elements. DEFINITIONS
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Language should be able to represent events and By defining words and phrases, it is assured that
abstract concepts. everyone agrees on their meaning.
CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE It avoids ambiguity and confusion
There must be a vocabulary of words or symbols. SIMILARITIES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AND MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE
Meaning must be attached to the words or
symbols. Both has nouns and verbs.
A language employs grammar, which is a set of Both has concepts of synonyms
rules that outline how vocabulary is used.
 GE103 - MATHEMATICS IN THE MODEN WORLD
REVIEWER
JHAMER ABARINTOS
Combining elements of the language can form usually based on Hindu-Arabic numerals but there
sentences. are special symbols that have exact numerical
value which are called mathematical constants.

DIFFERENCES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND SYMBOL SYMBOL MEANING

MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE NAME
Hindu-Arabic constant Digits to form
They have different objects of interest. Numerals numbers
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
The concept of “synonyms” is far more important 7, 8, 9
in Math than English. English variable Unknown value
Alphabet to find
Definitions are more specific and clearly defined Letters
to avoid ambiguity. A, B, C, D, ..., X,
Y, Z
TRUTH OF SENTENCES a, b, c, d, ..., x,
y, z

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A mathematical sentence should show the Greek variable Unknown value
relationship of different expressions thus you can Alphabet to find

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determine whether they are true or false. Letters

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α, β, γ, δ, ε, θ, λ,
Example: ...
Some Greek & mathematica Number with
The sum of a number and three.
TRUTH OF SENTENCES
This statement is false.
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English Letters l constant
i, e, π, φ, ...
A
2. Mathematical ‘Verbs’
fixed value
B
Mathematical ‘verbs’ are symbols that show the
It can be written as ‘x + 3’. It is only an expression relationship of at least two expressions. Two
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thus can neither be true nor false. expressions are either equal or unequal. If they are
unequal, one expression is either greater than or
By adding it is true. lesser than the other value. Other variations of
these three relationships exist and can be used
Any value of x will still make the sentence true. depending on the situation.
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Any value of x will still make the sentence false.

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SYMBOL SYMBOL NAME MEANING

If y = 3 then it is true otherwise it is false. It is = Equals sign Equality
conditionally true. (open sentence) ≠ Not equal sign Inequality
≈ Approximately Approximation
equal
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If this sentence is true, then it would have to be Strict inequality greater than
false. If this sentence is false, then it would have >
Strict inequality less than
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to be true. It is not true, not false, nor conditionally <

Inequality greater than or
true. (paradox) ≥
equal to
MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS ≤ Inequality less than or
equal to
1. Mathematical ‘Nouns’
Mathematical ‘nouns’ refer to numbers or values 3. Basic Mathematical Operations
that are manipulated in a mathematical sentence. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
They can refer to either variables or constants. are the basic mathematical operations. The
Variables are symbols or letters that may have following symbols are different variations of the
one or more possible value. This is usually four operations
represented
by English or Greek letters. Unlike variables, SYMBOL SYMBOL NAME
constants are numbers with fixed value. They are + Plus sign
 GE103 - MATHEMATICS IN THE MODEN WORLD
REVIEWER
JHAMER ABARINTOS
− Minus sign
± plus – minus
∓ minus – plus
× Times sign
∙ Multiplication dot
÷ Division sign / obelus
/ Division slash
— Horizontal line
4. Other Mathematical Symbols
Other symbols include grouping symbols which
are used to indicate order of operations,
exponents and radicals, and miscellaneous
symbols such as decimal point and percent.
SYMBOL SYMBOL MEANING
NAME
() Parentheses calculate

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expression
inside first

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[] Brackets calculate
expression
. Period
inside first
decimal point,
decimal
separator
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a
b
Power Exponent
n
a N-th root indicate that a
B
(radical) root is being
taken
A
% Percent 1% = 1/100
Translating English Sentences to Mathematical
Sentences and Vice-Versa
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Addition Subtraction Multiplication

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Plus minus times

more than less multiplied by
Increased by less than the product of
the sum of decreased by twice (2x)
the total of the difference thrice (3x)
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added to of
subtracted
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from
Division Equality Inequality
divided by is is greater than
the ratio of equals is less than
the quotient is equal to is at least
of gives is at most
is above
is below