Lesson 1 – Mathematics in Our World 5.

Month 5: 5 pairs (3 old + 2 new)

6. Month 6: 8 pairs (5 old + 3 new)

Each number in the sequence is the sum of the two

Inculcating Concepts (Input/Lesson Proper) preceding numbers.
Mathematics is fundamental to understanding the
natural world and reveals hidden patterns that help The Fibonacci sequence is named after Leonardo
Pisano Bigollo (Leonardo Fibonacci), an Italian
us make sense of our surroundings. These patterns
mathematician who introduced it in his 1202 book
are not only significant but also visually stunning.
Liber Abaci. The sequence arose from a problem
Look for examples of these patterns the next time about rabbit reproduction.
you take a walk, and you might spot some
fascinating mathematical structures in nature. What's remarkable is that Fibonacci numbers
Patterns frequently appear in nature. For example, you can
find these numbers in the spirals of pine cones,
pineapples, sunflower seeds, and flower petals. The
Patterns in nature are regular forms found in the
Fibonacci sequence also forms a shape known as
natural world that can often be described
the Fibonacci spiral, visible in shells and the shape
mathematically. These patterns include sequences,
of hurricanes.
symmetries, fractals, spirals, meanders, waves,
foams, tessellations, cracks, and stripes.
Additionally, the ratios of successive Fibonacci
numbers approach the Golden Ratio (Φ or Phi),
While we often think of patterns as repeating
which is approximately 1.618 and can be expressed
identically, many natural patterns are not exactly the
as the irrational number
same every time. For example, zebra stripes are a
recognizable pattern, yet each stripe is unique.

Here are a few examples of mathematical patterns

in nature:

1. Sequence

A sequence is an ordered collection of objects

where repetitions are allowed and the order matters.
One famous example of a sequence found in nature
is the Fibonacci sequence.

The Fibonacci Sequence

The Fibonacci sequence begins with two initial

The Golden Ratio is a special number where, if you
pairs of rabbits. Each month, each pair produces a
have two numbers, the ratio of the larger one to the
new pair, which starts reproducing from the second
smaller one is the same as the ratio of their sum to
month onward. The sequence answers the question:
the larger number. You can see this in a rectangle
how many pairs of rabbits will there be after a
that is divided into a square and a smaller rectangle,
certain number of months?
and this pattern can continue forever.
Here's how the Fibonacci sequence progresses:
Fibonacci numbers are linked to the Golden Ratio.
If you divide a Fibonacci number by the one before
1. Month 1: 1 pair
it, the result will get closer to the Golden Ratio
2. Month 2: 1 pair
(about 1.618) as you go further in the sequence.
3. Month 3: 2 pairs (1 old + 1 new)
4. Month 4: 3 pairs (2 old + 1 new)
2. Symmetry

In everyday terms, symmetry means a sense of

balance and harmony. It occurs when two or more
parts are identical after a flip, slide, or turn.
Types of Symmetry

 Reflection (or Flip)

Reflection, also known as flipping, creates a mirror

image of a figure. It has a line of reflection (or
mirror line) where the distance from the original
figure to this line is the same as the distance from
the image to the line. This line, called the line of
symmetry or bilateral symmetry, divides the
figure into two identical parts.

3. Dilation

 Translation (or Slide)

Translation moves a shape in a specific direction

without changing its size or orientation. This can be
up, down, sideways, or diagonally.

 Rotation (or Turn)

Rotation involves turning a shape around a fixed

point (the center of rotation) by a certain angle.
This angle determines how far the shape will turn.
When a shape is rotated, it may appear multiple Dilation is a transformation that changes the size of
times (order) around the center. The angle of an object. It enlarges or reduces the object while
rotation is measured in degrees, with the full circle maintaining its shape.
being 360°.
3. Fractals
Fractals are fascinating shapes seen in nature that 4. Tessellation
repeat the same basic pattern at different scales.
This means that zooming in or out reveals the same A tessellation is a pattern that covers a flat surface
shape over and over. completely using one or more geometric shapes
(tiles) without any gaps or overlaps. It's a way to fill
Fractals are found in many natural forms, such as an entire plane with polygons that fit together
fern leaves, tree branches, neuron networks, perfectly.
waterfalls, and coastlines.
Hexagons in Nature
Key characteristics of fractals include:
Hexagons are a common geometric shape in nature.
 Self-Similarity: The pattern looks the same A regular hexagon has 6 sides of equal length and
at different scales. appears frequently in the natural world.
 Fractional Dimension: The shape doesn’t
have an integer dimension; it’s more One well-known example is the hexagonal pattern
complex. in bee hives. Bees use hexagons to build their hives
 Formation by Iteration: The pattern is efficiently through tessellation.
created through repeated processes or steps.
Hexagons also appear in the arrangement of  Layers of an onion: Each layer forms a
bubbles. Although bubbles are typically round, concentric circle.
when many bubbles cluster together on a water  Tree rings: They form as trees grow and
surface, they form hexagonal shapes. age.

The Earth also has concentric layers, including the

Optimization

Optimization is a branch of mathematics that helps crust, mantle, and core, each with distinct chemical
in decision-making for businesses and industries.
Its aim is to either maximize or minimize a
certain outcome while using the least amount of
resources.

Pappus of Alexandria, the last major Ancient

Greek mathematician, noted that triangles,
squares, and hexagons are the only regular
polygons that can tile a plane without gaps.
Honeybees use hexagons in their hives because

this shape allows them to store the most honey

with the least amount of beeswax.

5. Concentric Circles in Nature properties.

Concentric circles share the same center but have

different radii, creating rings that are nested inside
one another. The space between two concentric
circles is called an annulus.

Common examples of concentric circles in nature

include:

 Ripples in a pond: Created when an object

hits the water surface.