Chapter I.

Nature of Mathematics

Mathematics in Our World

DIVINA GRACIA V. CRISTAL

Department of Mathematics
Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World College of Arts and Sciences
Mathematics in Our World

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

SPIRALS

Definition
Spirals are common patterns in nature that we see more often in living
things. They are curves which emanate from a point, moving farther away as
it revolves around the point. Spirals are “open” curves compared to circles
and ellipses which are closed curves.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

SPIRALS

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

SPIRALS IN NATURE
The Milky Way galaxy is an example of a spiral galaxy.
It has logarithmic spirals in its arms beginning at the center
of the galaxy and expanding outwards. Interestingly, spiral
galaxies follow the familiar Fibonacci pattern.

Recently, Thomas Dame and Patrick Thaddeus of the

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics made a
discovery which suggests that the Milky Way galaxy has a
mirror-like symmetry. If true, the Milky Way galaxy will be a
near-perfect mirror image of itself with two major arms: the
Perseus and the Scutum-Centaurus.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

SPIRALS IN NATURE

The shell of a nautilus exhibits Fibonacci numbers. It

is grown in almost a Fibonacci spiral. That is, it
closely follows the pattern of a spiral drawn in a
Fibonacci rectangle, a collection of squares with sides
that have the length of Fibonacci numbers

Mosquito coils (mosquito repellants)

are shaped like Fermat’s spiral

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RATIO

Definition
The Golden Ratio, also known as the Divine Proportion, Golden
Section or Golden Mean, denoted by 𝜑 (read as “phi ”), is approximately
equal to 1.618033988749895…

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RATIO

There is a special relationship between the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci numbers. If any two
successive Fibonacci Numbers are taken, their ratio approximates the Golden Ratio. One can observe that
the higher the numbers in the sequence, the closer they match the golden mean.
CONSECUTIVE FIBONACCI NUMBERS
a/b
b a
2 3 1.5
3 5 1.666…
5 8 1.6
8 13 1.625
13 21 1.615384615…
… … …
144 233 1.618055556…
233 377 1.618025751
… … …

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RATIO

In a line segment, the golden ratio can be found by dividing the segment into two parts so that the longer
part (a) divided by the smaller part (b) is also equal to the whole length (a+b) divided by the longer part.

𝑎+𝑏 𝑎
= = φ = 1.618 …
𝑎 𝑏

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RATIO

Consider a line segment with length 100 centimeters. How long should a and b be for them to satisfy
the Golden Ratio?

𝑎+𝑏
Recall that = 1.618 and 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 100 𝑐𝑚 is the length of the line segment.
𝑎
100
⟹ = 1.618
𝑎
1.618 𝑎 = 100
𝑎 = 61.8 𝑐𝑚
Solving for 𝑏: 𝑏 = 100 − 61.8 = 38.2 𝑐𝑚.

Thus, 𝑎 = 61.8 𝑐𝑚 and 𝑏 = 38.2 𝑐𝑚.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RECTANGLE

Definition
The Golden Rectangle is a rectangle whose side lengths are in the golden ratio

1+ 5
1: 2 𝑜𝑟 1: 𝜑

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN RECTANGLE

A golden rectangle (in blue) with longer side a

and shorter side b, when placed adjacent to a
square with sides of length a, will produce a
similar golden rectangle with longer side a + b
and shorter side a. This illustrates the
relationship
𝑎+𝑏 𝑎
= = φ = 1.618 …
𝑎 𝑏

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

APPLICATION OF THE GOLDEN RATIO
AND THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE: ARTS

Three distinct sets of Golden Rectangles:

• one set for the head area
• torso
• legs

Vitruvian Man

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

APPLICATION OF THE THE GOLDEN
RECTANGLE: ARTS
Mona Lisa by da Vinci

It is believed that Leonardo, as a mathematician

tried to incorporate mathematics into art. This painting
seems to be made purposefully line up with golden
rectangle.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

APPLICATION OF THE GOLDEN RATIO AND
THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE: ARCHITECTURE
Parthenon

The Great Pyramid of Giza in 4700 B.C.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN ANGLE

Definition
The golden angle is the smaller of the two angles created by
sectioning the circumference of a circle according to the golden
ratio; that is, into two arcs such that the ratio of the length of the
larger arc to the length of the smaller arc is the same as the ratio
of the full circumference to the length of the larger arc.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN ANGLE
Let a + b be the circumference of a circle, divided into a longer
arc of length a and a smaller arc of length b such that

𝑎+𝑏 𝑎
= = 1.61803 …
𝑎 𝑏
The golden angle is then the angle subtended by the smaller arc
of length b. It measures approximately 137.50776°

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

GOLDEN ANGLE IN NATURE

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH IN ONE’S LIFE

Mathematics Helps Organize Patterns and Regularities in the World

Numerical Patterns

Kepler, fascinated with his search for mathematical patterns in nature (though accidental) was able to
discover that the orbital period of a planet (time it takes a planet to go once around the Sun) and the
distance of the planet from the sun are related! How did Kepler do it?

Let d = distance of any planet from the Sun

o = orbital period
𝑑3
Then = constant
𝑜2

This constant, a very elegant number, was the same for all the six planets that precisely existed during
his time; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn! Amazing isn’t it?

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH IN ONE’S LIFE

Mathematics Helps Organize Patterns and Regularities in the

World
Geometric Patterns

Did you know that the rainbow as we normally view as arcs is a collection of circles,
one for each color? These circles can be seen from the air!

Circles can also be seen in the ripples on a pond, in the human eye and butterflies’
wings.

Many viruses assume the shape of an icosahedron – a regular solid that is formed out
of twenty equilateral triangles.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH IN ONE’S LIFE

https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-illuminating-geometry-of-viruses-20170719/

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE Mathematics Helps Predict
the Behavior of Nature
and the World
• Lunar and solar eclipses and the return of
comets as predicted by astronomers are
achieved by understanding the heavenly
bodies’ motion. For example, the
positions of the Sun and Moon relative to
the Earth can predict tides for many years
ahead.

• In contrast, weather is a phenomenon

that is much harder to predict. However,
meteorologists can make effective short-
term predictions of weather patterns, at
most 5 days in advance.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE
Mathematics Helps Control Nature and Occurrences
in the World for our Own Ends

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE

In the medical field, headlines on epidemics are often seen

and heard over the media and publications. Mathematicians,
with their knowledge on mathematical modelling are able to
control the spread of diseases to the population.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE

https://imsp.cas.uplb.edu.ph/uncategorized/dr-jomar-f-rabajante/

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE
Mathematics Has Numerous Applications in the
World Making it Indispensable

Flight
Computer, electrical scheduling
and telephone lines that
designing optimizes
routines

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

IMPORTANCE OF MATH
IN ONE’S LIFE
Mathematics Has Numerous Applications in the
World Making it Indispensable

Windmills located along the

beach to maximize the
storing of energy

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World

ASSIGNMENT

Provide a concise (2 - 4 sentences) response to any of the following statement /

question. Choose ONE (1) only.

1. Other than those discussed in this lecture, give another importance of mathematics in our
lives.

2. How else is mathematical modelling applicable to other fields?

3. Mention another Mathematician whose work made a great impact in our society today.

Math 01 – Mathematics in the Modern World