MATH101

Mathematics in the Modern World

5:00 – 6:30 pm CB21

THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

JOHN WILLIAM NAVIN SULLIVAN - Mathematics, as and activities in life this field can be
much as music or any other art, is one of the helpful.
means by which we rise to complete self-
consciousness. The significance of mathematics
resides precisely in the fact that it is an art; by WHAT IS MATHEMATICS?
informing us of the nature of our own minds, it
informs us of much that depends on our minds  Greek word “máthēma” which in the
ancient Greek language, means “that
which is learnt”, or “lesson” in modern
- Mathematics is at the center of history and Greek
development of culture. Mathematics is  Máthēma is derived from “manthano”
evident in ancient arts, Egyptian while the modern Greek equivalent is
architecture, and music. In fact, “mathiano” which means “to learn”
 The study of mathematics and the use of
Pythagoras (570-495 bc), the “father of
numbers,” discovered numerical reasons in generalized mathematical theories and
music harmony. proofs are the key differences between
Greek mathematics and the mathematics
of preceding civilizations.
- Mathematics is very beneficial to every
human being in his or her day-to-day living.  Mathematics is defined as the science of
It helps an individual develop reasoning, patterns and relationships. However,
analytical thinking, and critical thinking. people still ask: What is it exactly that
mathematicians do when they are doing
- Analytical thinking helps a person mathematics? What really is mathematics.
investigate and determine the truth
around him or her. Mathematics can
explain how things work and phenomena CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICS
can be best understood thought it
CLASSIFICATION
- It is evident that mathematics has played
a central role in the physical science for Within logical-mathematical knowledge is
centuries, and currently it is being used by process of classification which represents the first
life scientists in analyzing patterns present step towards learning more complex
in plants, animals, and humans. mathematical concepts. Classification generates
a series of mental relations through which objects
- The things and benefits that mathematics are grouped according to similarities and
can do and provide are countless. A differences depending on specific criteria such as
knowledge of the basic concepts of shape, color, size, etc.
mathematics will enable people to explore
its applications and in what phenomena
LOGICAL SEQUENCE such a way that all mathematicians understand
symbolic notations and mathematical formulas.
Ideas in mathematics need to flow in an order
that makes sense. The sequence can naturally APPLICABILITY
match what occurs in a text (main ideas) and
what the reader needs to understand. It means The applicability of mathematics can lie
that each step can be derived logically from anywhere on a spectrum from the completely
preceding steps. simple (trivial) to the utterly complex (mysterious).
Mathematics can be used in all fields of human
STRUCTURE endeavor. According to Kant, “in any special
doctrine of nature, there can be only as much as
In Mathematics, a structure on a set is an proper science as there is mathematics therein”.
additional mathematical object that is related to
that given set in some particular characteristics GENERALIZATIONS
manner, and attaches (or relates) to that set to
Making generalizations is fundamental to
endow it with some additional meaning or
significance. The structure on a particular mathematics. It is the skill that must be developed
mathematical set will allow mathematicians to among students. It is of vital importance in
functioning society. The Webster Dictionary
study the set further and find its relationship with
the other objects. defines generalization as the process of “finding
and singling out [of properties] in a whole class of
PRECISION AND ACCURACY similar objects.”

Accuracy is how close a measured value is to the NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

actual (true) value. It is the degree to which a
 The term MATHEMATICS is derived from two
given quantity is correct and free from error.
Precision, on the other hand, is how close the Greek words 'manthanein' which means
measured values are to each other. The learning and 'techne' an art of technique.
concepts of accuracy and precision are both Therefore mathematics means the art of
closely related and are often confused with each learning related to disciplines.
other.  Mathematics is defined as the science of
quantity, measurement and special
ABSTRACTNESS relation.

Abstraction is the process of extracting the 1. MATHEMATICS IS A SCIENCE OF DISCOVERY

underlying essence of a mathematical concept
by taking away any dependence on real-world Mathematics give an easy and early opportunity
objects. Techniques and methods in abstraction to make independent discoveries. It is the
discovery of relationships and the expression of
deal with quantitative relations and spatial forms
and their interrelationships with one another. It those relationships in symbolic form.
has a great significance in understanding 2. MATHEMATICS IS AN INTELLECTUAL GAME
concepts in other disciplines.
Mathematics is mainly a matter of puzzles,
SYMBOLISM paradoxes, and problem-solving.
The language of mathematics is the system used 3. MATHEMATICS IS A TOOL SUBJECT
by mathematicians to communicate
mathematical ideas using symbols instead of Mathematics has its integrity, its beauty, its
words. This language is uniquely constructed in structure and many other features that relate to
Mathematics as an end in itself.
4. MATHEMATICS INVOLVES AN INTUITIVE METHOD CONTRIBUTION OF GREAT MATHEMATICIANS

The first step in the learning of any mathematical EULICID

subject is the development of Intuition. This must
➤ He is credited with the well-known proof of the
come before rules are stated or formal operations
are introduced Pythagorean Theorem

5. MATHEMATICS HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE AND ➤ He solved unresolved problems related to
SYIVIBOLS irrational numbers

The language for communication of ➤ He proved what is generally known as Euclid's

mathematical ideas is largely in terms of symbols secondary theorem that prime numbers are
and words which everybody cannot understand. infinite

6. MATHEMATICS IS AN ABSTRACT SCIENCE PYTHAGORAS

Mathematical concepts are abstract in the sense ➤The discovery of irrationals

that they cannot be seen That they cannot be
➤Invented a theorem later named it as
seen or felt in the physical world.
Pythagoreans theorem
7. MATHEMATICS IS LOGIC
➤ Many mathematical terms like parabola, elipse
Logic is an important factor in mathematics; it etc. Can be attributed to Pythagoras
governs the pattern of deductive proof through
➤Pythagoras made useful investigations into
which mathematics is developed.
music and began the theory of music by
8. MATHEMATICS DEALS WITH ART OF DRAWING measuring the cords of the lyre, a musical
CONCLUSIONS instrument

In mathematics the conclusions are certain and ARYABHATTA

definite. Therefore the learner can Check the
correct solutions ➤ Aryabhatta was familiar with place value
system

➤ He knew numeral symbols and the sign of zero

PATTERNS AND NUMBERS IN NATURE AND THE
WORLD ➤ He has given the method of addition,
subtraction, multiplication, of simple and
WHAT IS MATHEMATICS? compound algebraic quantities

Mathematics is a science of numbers and space, ➤He gave a general solution to linear
it is the science of measurement, quantity and indeterminate equation by the method of
magnitude. continued fraction.
According to the National Council of Teachers of BHASKARACHARYA
Mathematics (1991), “Mathematics is a study of
patterns and relationship, a way of thinking, an ➤ He had use the kuttaka method of solving
art, a language, and a tool”. indeterminate equations

➤ Bhaskaracharya, gave two methods of

multiplication in Lilavati
➤ He for the first time brought the idea of infinity  Line or axis of symmetry divides the shape
while dividing a number by zero into two equal parts.

➤ He was aware of arithmetical and geometrical TRANSLATIONSYMMETRY

progressions and explains examples.
 If the object is translated or moved from
➤ The fundamentals of rolle's theorem were one position to another, the same
originated by him. orientation in the forward and backward
motion is called translational symmetry.
SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN  In other words, it is defined as the sliding of
an object about an axis.
➤ He worked on divergent series.
RADIAL SYMMETRY
➤ 1729 is a very famous Ramanujan [Link] is
the smallest number which can be expressed as  Rotational symmetry around a fixed point
the sum of two cubes in two different way. known as the center.
 Images with more than one lines of
➤ He also produced quite a number of results in
symmetry meeting at a common point
definite integrals in the form of general formula
exhibits a radial symmetry.
➤ Rumanian's own work on partial sums and
ROSETTE PATTERNS
products of hyper geometric series have led to
major Development in the topic.  Rosette patterns consist of taking motif or
an element and rotating and/or reflecting
that elements.
o CYCLIC AND DIHEDRAL
PATTERN
 A rosette pattern is cyclic if it
 Pattern is an arrangement which helps only admits rotational
observers anticipates what they might see symmetries.
or what happens next.  A rosette pattern is dihedral if
 Natural patterns include symmetries, it admits both rotational
fractals, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, symmetries and bilateral or
tessellations, cracks, and stripes. reflectional symmetries.
 Symmetry is the fundamental “language”
FRIEZE PATTERN
of patterns.
 Symmetry occurs when there is  A frieze pattern or boarder pattern is a
congruence in dimensions, due pattern in which a basic motif repeats itself
proportions and arrangement. over and over in one direction.
o 1. Hop - This contains only translation
symmetries.
PATTERNS IN NATURE o 2. Step - This contains translation
and glide symmetries.
REFLECTIONSYMMETRY o 3. Sidle - This contains translation
and vertical reflection symmetries.
 Simplest kind of symmetry.
o 4. Spinning hop – This contains
 It can also be called mirror or glide
translation and half turn (180°)
symmetry because an object with this
symmetries.
symmetry looks unchanged if a mirror
passes through its middle.
 o 5. Spinning sidle - This contains SUMMARY:
translation, glide reflection and half
turn rotation symmetries. What is mathematics?
o 6. Jump - This contains translation,  Formal system of thought for recognizing,
glide reflection and horizontal classifying, and exploiting patterns
rotation symmetries.  The origins of counting
o 7. Spinning Jump - This contains  Geometric patterns
translation, glide reflection, vertical  Wave patterns in water and on land
rotation, and horizontal rotation  Patterns of movement
symmetries.  Fractals
WALLPAPER PATTERN Where is mathematics?
 A wallpaper pattern is a pattern with We see hints or clues of it ...
translation symmetry in two directions. It is,
therefore, essentially an arrangement of  In nature
friezes stacked upon one another to fill the  In our daily routine
entire plane.  In our world
 According to Nocon (2016), in order for a  In people
plane to be considered a wallpaper
What is mathematics for?
pattern, it must have at least the basic unit,
one copy by translation, and a copy of  To help us unravel the puzzles of nature, a
these two by translation in the second useful way to think about nature
direction.  Organize patterns and regularities as well
as irregularities
TESSELLATION OR TILING
 To be able to predict
 It is a repeating pattern of figures that  To help us control weather, epidemics
covers a plane with no gaps or overlaps. It  Provides tools for calculations
is just a wallpaper group in which patterns  Provides new questions to think about
are created by repeating a shape that fill
What is mathematics about?
the plane.
 Tessellations can be created with  Numbers, symbols, notations
translations, rotations, and reflections. A  Operations, equations, and functions
honeycomb is a perfect example of a  Processes and “thingification” of processes
natural tessellation. It uses hexagons to (that are abstractions, e.g., 3)
form this natural mosaic around the  Proof – a story rather than a sequence of
surface area of the hive statements
 “The hat” - A newly discovered 13-sided
shape It is an aperiodic tile, meaning it can How is mathematics done?
still completely cover a surface without
 With curiosity
any gaps, but you can never identify any
 With a penchant for seeking patterns and
cluster that periodically repeats itself to do
generalities
so.
 With a desire to know the truth
Pattern can be defined as: regular, repeated,  With trial and error
recurring forms or designs identify relationships,  Without fear of facing more questions and
find logical connections to form generalization problems to solve
 With tenacity (willingness to keep working)
 Who uses mathematics?

 Mathematicians: pure and applied

 Scientists: natural and social
 Practically everyone
 But different people use different math
at different times, for different purposes,
using different tools with different
attitudes Infinite Sequence is a function whose domain is a
set of positive integers. The function values a1, a2,
Why is mathematics important to know? a3, a4 ,an-1, ... are terms of the sequence.
 It puts order in disorder Finite Sequence if the domain of the function
 It helps us become better persons consists of the first positive integers only
 It helps the world a better place to live in
Each number in a sequence is called term

A series is the sum of the terms in the sequence.

THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE

Leonardo of Pisa - Fibonacci

 Fibonacci is the greatest European

mathematician of the middle ages.
 Born in 1170 and died in 1240
 He introduced the Arabic number system
in Europe

Origin of Fibonacci Sequence

 Fibonacci Sequence was discovered after

an investigation on the reproduction of
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
rabbits.
 Fibonacci sequence is an integer in the
infinite sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ... of
which the first two terms are 1 and 1 and
each succeeding term is the sum of the
two immediately preceding.

Simple rule: add the last two to get the next.

The Golden Ratio

 The golden ratio is often denoted by the

Greek letter φ (Phi).
 This is approximately equal to 1.618. ( )
 The golden ratio can be expressed as the
ratio between two numbers. Nth term of an arithmetic sequence

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers (other

elements/terms), that often follow a specific
pattern or function.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOL: AN mathematicians regardless of their mother
INTRODUCTION tongues.

Language is a systematic way of Characteristics of Mathematics Language

communication with other people use of  Precise
sounds or conventions symbols.  Concise
 Powerful

Difficulties
Importance of Language
 The word "is" could mean equality,
 Language was invented to inequality, or member in a set.
communicate ideas to others.  Different use of a number (cardinal,
 The language of mathematics was ordinal, nominal, ratio)
designed:  Mathematical objects may be
o numbers represented in many ways such as sets and
o Sets functions.
o functions  The words "and" and "or" mean differently
o perform operations in mathematics from its English use.

MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOL:

VARIABLES

VARIABLES

 It is represented by a letter, like x or y.

 A symbol for a value we don't know yet

ADVANTAGE OF USING VARIABLES

It allows you to give a temporary name to what

you are seeking so that you can perform
concrete computations with it to help discover its
possible values

Writing Sentences Using Variables

a. Use variables to rewrite the following sentences

more formally.

b. Are there numbers with the property that the

The Grammar of Mathematics sum of their squares equals the square of their
sum?
The mathematical notation used for formulas has
its own grammar, not dependent on a specific c. Give any real number, its square is nonnegative
natural language, but shared internationally by
INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING

A problem is statement requiring a solution,

usually by means of mathematical
operation/geometric construction.

 The word "method" means the ways or

techniques used to get answer which
will, usually involve one or more
problem solving strategies.

Problem solving is a process an ongoing

activity in which we take what we know to
discover what we don't know.

Problem - solving involves three basic

functions:

1) Seeking information

2) Generating new knowledge

3) Making decisions

Mathematical Reasoning

It refers to the ability of a person to analyze

problem situations and construct logical
arguments to justify the process hypothesis, to
create both conceptual foundations and
connections, in order for him to be able to
process the information.
Inductive Reasoning is the process of ELEMENTARY LOGIC
reaching a general conclusion by examining
WHAT IS LOGIC?
specific examples.

n is a statement that is either

true or false (not both).

he truth value of a proposition

is either true (T) or false (F).

COUNTEREXAMPLES
LOGIC
A statement a true statement is provided that
is true in all cases. If you can find one case for  Logic comes from the word “LOGOS”,
which a statement is not true, called a which means “REASON”. It is
counterexample, then the statement is a concerned with the methods and rules
false statement for correct thinking.

LOGIC: THE SCIENCE AND ART OF REASONING

 Logic, as an ART, on one hand, direct

reason. As an ART it guides man‟s
reason so that he can proceed with
order and precision in the search for
meaning.
 Logic as a SCIENCE, on the other hand,
Deductive Reasoning is the process of
“investigates, discovers, expresses,
reaching a conclusion by applying general;
systematizes, demonstrates, and
assumptions, procedures, or principles.
explains the laws of correct thinking.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Conditional Statement – An If-then statement

Hypothesis – The part following „if‟ in a

conditional statement.

Conclusion - the part following the „then‟ in a

conditional statement.

TRUTH VALUE - Means every conditional

statement is either true or false.
LOGICAL CONNECTORS