WEEK ONE: PATTERNS AND IMAGES IN NATURE AND THE WORLD

WHAT IS MATHEMATICS?

Mathematics, developed by human mind and culture, is a formal system of thought for
recognizing, classifying, and exploiting patters. (Ian Steward)

Mathematics is a perceived as a study of numbers, symbols, and equations, an art of geometric

shapes and patterns, a universal language, a tool in decision-making and problem solving, and a
way of life to be exact and precise.

There is an organized pattern to explain such phenomena and this is through mathematics. It
explains not only the regularities but also the irregularities and complexities in our world. It
simplifies complex things by organizing patterns. It shows that there is a line that connects
everyone to one another and to nature.

Indeed, mathematics is a study of patterns, an art, a language, a set of problem-solving, and a

process of thinking.

WHERE IS MATHEMATICS?

Mathematics is in every people’s daily task or activity. It is in nature, arts, music, medicine,
and I other disciples. It is in our communication. Mathematics is everywhere. Moreover, there is
always a substantial interconnection and relationship between mathematics, the world, and the
universe.
EX: Sunflower, Spiral Aloe, Nautilus Shell, and Pineapple

Mathematics reveals hidden patterns that helps us understand the world around us. Now
much more than arithmetic and geometry, mathematics today is a diverse disciple that deals with
data, measurements, and observations from science; with inference, deduction, and proof; and with
mathematical models of natural phenomena, of human behavior, and social systems.

WHAT IS MATHEMATICS FOR?

Mathematics is extremely useful in making conclusions and/or predictions of the events of the
world. It is used to describe the natural order and occurrences of the universe.

In addition, it is used to organized patterns and regularities as well as irregularities, to help us

control weather and epidemics, to provide tools for calculations, and to provide new questions to
think about.

WHAT IS MATHEMATICS ALL ABOUT?

Mathematics is about numbers, symbols, equations, operations, calculations, abstractions, and

devising proofs.

Here are a few examples of math in nature, but there are many other examples as well.
1. The Fibonacci Sequence
- Named for the famous mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci, also known as Leonardo of
Pisa or Leonardo Pisano. This number sequence is a simple, yet profound pattern. Based on
 Fibonaci’s ‘rabbit problem,’ this sequence begins with numbers. Therefore, after 1 and 1, the
next number is 2 (1 + 1). The next is 3(1 + 2) and then 5(2 + 3) and so on.
- 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.
- The original problem that Fibonacci investigated in the year 1201 was about how fast
rabbits could breed in ideal circumstances.

What is remarkable is that the numbers in the sequence are often seen in nature.

2. The Golden Ration

- Often represented by the Greek letter phi (ȹ), is directly linked to a numerical pattern
known as the Fibonacci Sequence, which is a list composed of numbers that are the sum of the
previous 2 numbers in the sequence.
- When a Fibonacci number is divided by the Fibonacci number that came before it, it
approaches the golden ration, which is irrational number that starts out as 1.6180339887… and,
once again, goes on forever.
- The golden ration 1.618034 is also called the golden section or the golden mean or just
called the golden number. It is often represented by a Greek letter phi.
- The figure on the left is a spiral drawn in the squares, a quarter of a circle in each square.
The spiral is not true mathematical spiral (since it is not made up of fragments which are parts of
the circle and does not go on getting smaller and smaller) but it is a good approximation to a
kind of spiral that does appear often in the nature. Such spirals are seen in the shape of shells of
snails and see shells and in the arrangement of seeds on flowering plants too.

HOW IS MATHEMATICS DONE?

Mathematics is done with curiosity, with a penchant for seeking patterns and generalities, with a
desire to know the truth, with trial and error, ad without fear of facing more questions and problems
to solve. (Vistru - Yu)

WHO USES MATHEMATICS?

Mathematics (pure and applied), scientists (natural and social), and practically, everyone uses
different mathematics at different times, for different purposes, usig different tools, with different
attitudes. (Vistru - Yu)

WHY IS MATHEMATICS IMPORTANT TO KNOW/LEARN

Mathematics puts order in disorder. It helps us become better persons and helps make the world
a better place to live in. (Vistru - Yu)

Here are some list of patterns you see in nature around you:

1. Nest built by Bees

- It is made by beeswax and is composed of cells in the shape hexagon, sometimes
pentagon or heptagon. The mathematician, Thomas Hales proved the honeycomb conjecture
in 1999, Mathematicians tried to prove this conjecture for centuries.
2. Snowflakes
- A feathery snow crystal which nucleated from dust particles suspended in the atmosphere.
Molecules in ice crystals join to form hexagonal structure which is then repeated as the crystal
accumulates more crystals and grow in size.
3. Tiger Stripes
- The stripes on a tiger are, in general, evenly spaced and perpendicular to the spine. The
stripes help in camouflage. They allow the tiger to blend with its environment.
4. Hyena’s Spots
- The spots on hyenas are shaped and distributed in a patter that helps also with camouflage.
5. Flower’s Petals
- The number of flowers is observed to the following patter: 3,5,8,13,… which are numbers
found in Fibonacci sequence.
6. Weather Patterns
- Weather is observed to repeat a pattern for days, weeks, or months after which a new
weather sets in. This sequence of weather patterns produces a cycle, such as, dry monsoon
seasons, summer-autumn-winter-spring seasons, habagat-amihan wind patterns, etc.
7. Human Population
- The demographic distribution of peopple in human populations is observed to follow a
pattern. Poor nations display a pyramid shaped demography with young occupying a
prominently large section of the population. But as a nation progresses economically, the
base thins out in favor of the older segments of the population.
 WEEK TWO: THE LANUAGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS

INTRODUCTION

Language facilitates communication by understanding and conveying information

and intended meaning.

In Mathematics, the language for communication makes use of symbols and

words which should be understood and spoken by every learning individual. It is
primarily designed to facilitate the process of deduction by utilizing its elements
(symbols) and making use of rules and syntax to arrange the symbols into meaningful
statements. (Quintos, R. T. et. Al., 2019)

In understanding the mathematical symbols, CONTEXT (specific topic being

studied or considered) and CONVENTION (where the particular symbols will make
sense or have particular meaning) will have to be taken into account. (Quintos, R. T.
et. Al., 2019)

CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

1. It is non – temporal.
It has no past, present and future. There is no conjugation of words in
Mathematics in the manner that English has a conjugation of verbs.

2. It has no emotional content.

Math language carries no emotional content. It has no equivalent words for
joy, happiness, despair, or sadness. It also does not speak about values in the
manner that people speak about human values in society.

3. It precise and concise.

Math language is precise and concise. It is exact and accurate in its
statements and as a consequence, it has no need for unnecessary words. This is
not always helpful to students, because being novice in Math they need a little
more elaboration, more exploration and more explanation from their teachers.

MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION

A mathematical expression is a group of characters or symbols representing a

quantity and/or expression.
An algebraic expression is a mathematical expression which contains numbers,
variables represented by letters and operations that indicate addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
EXAMPLE 1
Translate the following verbal phrases to Mathematical expressions:
Let n be the number

EXAMPLE 2
Translate the following verbal phrases into mathematical expressions:
EXAMPLE 3
Translate the following verbal sentences into mathematical sentences:
1. Fifteen percent of the total expenditures is P15,000.
Solution
Let x be the total expenditures
0.15x = 15,000
2. Gross sales less taxes is P20,000.
Solution
Let x be the gross sales and y be the taxes
x – y = 20,0009
3. My classmate’s monthly allowance is twice what my roommate receives in a
month. Their combined monthly allowances is P36,000.
Solution
Let x be the classmate’s monthly allowance
y be the roommate’s monthly allowance
x = 2y
x + y = 36,000
4. Jakob’s average of two exams is 96. The first exam is 8 points higher than the
second.
Solution
Let x be Jakob’s first exam and y be Jakob’s second exam
(x + y)/2 = 96
x=8+y

MATHEMATICAL SENTENCE
A mathematical sentence is a mathematical expression which is either true or false.
EXAMPLES
 25 + 10 = 35 - True
 (– 5) + (– 34) = – 29 - False

Open Mathematical Sentence

A mathematical sentence which is true or false depending on the value of
unknown quantities
EXAMPLES
 x – 10 = 90
 x2 – 3x – 4 = 0
 3x + 2 = 15x

Closed Mathematical Sentence

A mathematical sentence which is known to be either true or false.
EXAMPLES
 The mathematical sentence x2 + 1 = 0 has a solution in the set of real numbers.
 The value of x in the mathematical sentence x – 10 = 90 is 100.

Mathematical Equation
It is a statement of equality between two algebraic expressions which contain one or
two unknowns.
EXAMPLES
 x2 + 1 = 0
 2x2 – 3x + 5 = 2x – 24
 WEEK THREE: SET, TYPES OF SET, COMPLEMENT OF A SET, EQUAL
AND EQUIVALENT SETS

 SET - any group of or collection of defines objects.

Examples:
1. The set of all the days in a week.
A = {Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday}
2. The set of all the letters in the word “MATHEMATICS”
B = {M,A,T,H,E,I,C,S}
3. The set of positive integers
Z = {1,2,3,4,5,…}

 ELEMENTS - objected listed in a set separated by a comma.

Examples:
1. The set of all the days in a week.
A = {Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday}
The elements are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday.
2. The set of all the letters in the word “MATHEMATICS”
B = {M,A,T,H,E,I,C,S}
The elements are M, A, T, H, E, I, C, and S.

 THE THREE DIFFERENT SET NOTATIONS

Descriptive or Rule Tabular or Listing Set-builder Form

Notation Form
A is the set of five female A = {Michelle, Mara,
A = {x | x set of five
names starting with letter Marielle, Mica,
female names starting with
M. Meryl} M}
B is a set of values in the B = {3, 2} B = { x | x set of values in
equation x2 - 5x + 6 = 0 the equation x2 - 5x + 6 =
0}
C is the set of prime C = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,…} C = { x | x set of prime
numbers numbers}
( x | x means such that)

 EMPTY SET/NULL SET - A set with no elements A = {} or Ø

 FINITE SET AND INFINITE SET

A set is finite if the number of elements in the set is a whole number.
Otherwise, it is infinite. The cardinal number of a finite set A is the number of
elements of Set A and is denoted by n(A).

 UNIVERSAL SET - is the set of all elements considered in a certain

investigation or group, and denoted by the symbol U.
Example:
U = the set of digits in a decimal system
U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9}
 SET COMPLIMENT
The complement of a set A, denoted by A’, is the set of all elements in the
universal set U that are not elements of set A.
Examples:
U = {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}
A = {2.4.6.8}
B = {1,3,5,7,9}
C = {0,2,5,6,7,8}
Find the following
A’ = {0,1,3,5,7,9}
B’ = {0,2,4,6,8}
C’ = {1,3,4,9}

 SUBSET OF A SET
Set A is subset of B, denoted by A ⊆ B, if and only if all elements in A are
also elements of B.
Example:
A = {1,2,3}
B = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}
Set A is a subset of B because all elements contained in A are also found in
Set B. i.e. A⊆ B.

 PROPER SUBSET
Set A is a proper subset of set B, denoted by A ⊂ B, if and only if all
elements in A are also elements of B, but A ≠ B.
Example 1:
A = {2,3,4,5}
B = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}
A ⊂ B because all elements contained in A are also found in Set B and
A ≠ B.
Example 2:
C = {2,4,6,8,10}
B = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}
Is C a proper subset of B? - No because 10 is not an element of B.

Notes:
A set is a subset of itself. An empty set is a subset of any set.

 EQUAL SETS - A and B have exact same elements. (A = B)

 EQUIVALENT SETS - A and B have the same number of Elements. (A ~ B)

 NUMBER OF SUBSETS OF A SET - If A has n elements, then the number of

subsets A has is 2n.
Example 1: SUV offers 6 upgrades
A = 26 A = 64 versions of SUV
Example 2 : 256 upgrades, how many upgrades?
2n = 28 n = 8 upgrades

WEEK FOUR: SET OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION:

Let U = {x |x is a Korean drama series}

Set A below contains the 5 nominees fro the best drama series in the 56 th
Baeksang Art Award.

A = [Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You,
Kingdom 2, Hyena}

Set B below contains the 5 nimonees for the best drama miniseries in the 15 th
Seoul International Drama Awards.

B = {Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You,
Kingdom 1, Itaewon Class}

Set c below contains the top 5 Highest Rated Korean Dramas in 20219 & 2020,
ranked according to IMDb.

C = {Hospital Playlist, Crash Landing on You, The King: Eternal Monarch,

Dinner Mate, Kingdom 1}

A = [Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You,
Kingdom 2, Hyena}
B = {Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You,
Kingdom 1, Itaewon Class}
C = {Hospital Playlist, Crash Landing on You, The King: Eternal Monarch,
Dinner Mate, Kingdom 1}

Hot Stove League

When the Camellia Blooms
Crash Landing on You
are the Korean drama series that are both in Sets A and b. (INTERSECTIONS)
A ∩ B = {Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You}
A ∩ C = {Crash Landing on You}
B ∩ C = {Crash Landing on You, Kingdom 1}

In General, if S and T are 2 arbitrary sets then S ∩ T = {x | x E S and x E T}

We merge all of the elements of A with all the elements of B to form a single,
larger set. (UNION)

A U B = { Hot Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms, Crash Landing on You,
Kingdom 2, Hyena, Kingdom 1, Itaewon Class}

In General, for any arbitrary sets S and T then S U T = {x | x E S or x E T}

SET OPERATIONS
 We apply operations on sets in a manner comparable with how we apply
operations on real numbers. The 3 fundamental operations on sets are:

1. INTERSECTION OF SETS
Given2 sets A and B, their intersections denoted by A ∩ B, is the set of
elements common to both A and B.
A ∩ B = {x | x ∈ A and x ∈ B}
Disjoint Sets: 2 sets are disjoint if their intersection is empty.

2. UNION OF SETS
Given 2 sets A and B,their set union,denoted by A U B, is the sets of
elements that belong to either A or B or to both.
A U B = {x | x ∈ A or x ∈ B}

3. DIFFERENCE OF SETS
The set difference of A and B denoted by A - B, is the set of all elements in
A that are not in B.
A - B = {x | x ∈ Abut x ∈ B}
Let A = {4,5,6}
B = {6,7}
C = {1,5,7)

Find the ff.

A. A - B = {4,5,7) - {6-7)
A - B = {4,5}- {6}
A - B = {4,5)

B. C - B =- {1,5,7} - {6,7}
C - B = {1,5} - {6}
C - B = {1,5}

C. C - A = {1,5,7} - {4,5,7}
C - A = {1} - {4}
C - A = {1}
 WEEK FIVE: VENN DIAGRAM

VENN DIAGRAM
A Venn Diagram uses overlapping circles or other shapes to
illustrates the logical relationships between 2 or more sets of items.
Often, they serve to graphically organize things, highlighting how the
items are similar and different.

REPRESENTING SUBSETS ON VENN DIAGRAM

Let us consider:
U = {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10}
S = {0,1,2}
T = {0,1,2,3,4}
From the sets above, it can be noticed that all the elements of s and T,
respectively, are elements of the Universal Set U. Hence, S and T are
subsets of U, (S ⊆ U and T ⊆ U). Also, since all the elements of S are elements of
T, then S ⊆ T. From these relationships, we can construct a venn diagram for better
understanding of the concept.

INTERSECTION OF 2 SETS ON A VENN DIAGRAM

Given2 sets A and B, their intersections denoted by A ∩ B, is the set of elements
common to both A and B.
COMPLEMENT OF A SET ON A VENN DIAGRASM
The Complement of a set,denoted A’, is the set of all elements in the
given universal set U that are not in A.

DISJOINT SETS ON A VENN DIAGRAM

2 sets are called disjoint if they have no elements in common. Thus,
the intersection of these 2 sets is an empty set, {}.