EXISTENCE OF MATHEMATICS IN NATURE

A project submitted to:

The Department of Mathematics
Kathmandu Model Secondary School
Bagbazar, Kathmandu

Submitted by:
Laxmi Gaihre
Science-D16
NEB Registration:

Under the supervision of Pushparaj Bhandari

Lecturer, Kathmandu Model Secondary School,
Bagbazar, Kathmandu

Declaration

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I hereby declare the report presented in this project report has been done by myself
under the supervision of Mr. Pushparaj Bhattarai.
All sources of information have been specifically acknowledged by references to
authors or institution.

Signature ________________
Laxmi Gaihre
Science- D 16
Date:

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 Subject Teacher's Recommendation
The project work report entitled "Existence of Mathematics in Nature" submitted
by Laxmi Gaihre, of Kathmandu Model Secondary School, Bagbazar, Kathmandu
is prepared under my supervision as per the procedure and format requirements
laid by the Department of Mathematics, Kathmandu Model Secondary School, as
the partial fulfillment of the requirements of the internal evaluation of grade XI. I,
therefore, recommend the report of the evaluation.

Signature________________
Mr. Pushparaj Bhandari
Date: 2079/08/18

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 Endorsement
I hereby endorse the project work entitled ‘Existence of Mathematics in nature’
submitted by Laxmi Gaihre of Kathmandu Model Secondary School, Bagbazar,
Kathmandu, Nepal in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Mathematics
subject internal evaluation of grade XI.

Signature: ________________ Signature: ________________

Mr. Chiranjivi Gyawali Dr. Nagendra Bahadur Aryal
HOD, Department of Mathematics Principal
Date: 2079/08/18 Date: 2079/08/18

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 Acknowledgement
I am grateful in my humbleness and would like to acknowledge my regards to
everyone who helped me put these ideas together, well above all the simplicity and
turning into something as strong as concrete. I would like to express my gratitude
to the Head of Department (Mathematics), Supervisor: Mr. Pushparaj Bhandari, as
well as the college administration for providing me with this amazing opportunity
to do this wonderful project on the topic, “Existence of Mathematics in Nature”,
which encouraged me to do heaps of research where I got to learn many new
things. Any attempt at any level couldn’t have been satisfactorily completed
without the support of my parents and brother for their undivided support and
interest which inspired me and encouraged me to go on my way without whom I’d
be unable to complete my project. At the end, I would also like to thank my friends
for their support and encouragement to continue doing the work.
Thank You!

Laxmi Gaihre
Roll. No. 19

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 Table of Contents
Title page………………………………………………………………… 1
Declaration……………………………………………………………… 2
Subject Teacher’s Recommendation………………………………… 3
Endorsement…………………………………………………………… 4
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………… 5
Table of Contents……………………………………………………… 6
List of Figures…………………………………………………………… 7
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………..8
Background……………………………………………………….8
Profile of org./place/events ,etc…………………………………...9
Objectives………………………………………………………...10
Rationale………………………………………………………….10
Review……………………………………………………………11
Methods…………………………………………………………..11
Limitations………………………………………………………..11
CHAPTER II: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS……………………………….…12
Data Presentation………………………………………………….12
Data analysis…….………………………………………………...15
Other different forms………………………………………………16
CHAPTER III: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION………………………….18
Summary…………………………………………………………..18
Conclusion…………………………………………………………18
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………19

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Bilateral symmetry - Butterfly
Figure 2 Radial symmetry - Orange
Figure 3 Sphere - Earth
Figure 4 Hexagon - Beehive
Figure 5 Cone – Volcano

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

Background
The abstract signs of number quantity and space either as abstract concepts, or as
apply to other disciplines such as physics and engineering is Mathematics. It is an
area of knowledge that includes topics as numbers, formulas and related structures,
shapes and spaces in which they are contained and quantities in the changes.
Mathematicians seek out patterns, formulate new conjectures and establish truth by
rigorous deduction from appropriately chosen axioms and definitions.
Mathematics consists of followings:
1. Quality
2. Quantities
3. Structures
4. Space and change
5. Numbers, their properties and relations
6. Also their operations
7. Their structures and measurements
In learning: Mathematics learning can be broadly defined as the acquisition of new
knowledge, skills and efforts that are related to quantity, space and structure.
Mathematics science and mathematics unit that allows students to explore and gain
knowledge about mathematical patterns found in nature, such as tessellations and
Fibonacci sequence. The unit also has interdisciplinary connections to other subject
areas.
Importance in daily life: It helps us to understand the world and provides an
effective way of building mental discipline. It increases logical reasoning, critical
thinking, creative thinking, abstract or spatial thinking, problem-solving ability and
even effective communication skills.
It is in the objects we create, in the works of art we admire. Although we may not
notice it, mathematics is also present in the nature that surrounds us, in its

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landscapes and species of plants and animals, including to the human species. Our
attraction to other humans and even our mobility depend on it.
The majority of our knowledge of mathematics and modern science is strictly
based and supported on our observations of our environment. What was once seen
as the randomness of nature is now distinguished as the intricate applications of
mathematics and illustrates the complexities of our natural world.
For more than two thousand years, mathematics has been a part of the human
search for understanding. Today, mathematics as a mode of thought and expression
is more valuable than ever before. Learning to think in mathematical terms is an
essential part of becoming a liberally educated person. Mathematics is defined as
the science which deals with logic of shape, quantity and arrangement. During
ancient times in Egypt, the Egyptians used math's and complex mathematic
equations like geometry and algebra. That is how they managed to build the
pyramids.

Profile of Organization

KMSS is a premier and time –tested academic hub for aspirants seeking top- notch
higher education in Nepal. Since its inception in 2000 A.D., KMSS has
exuberantly carved out an enviable niche itself at the pinnacle of the best +2
schools in the country. In the course of its two decade glorious academic odyssey,
it has earned its discrete place of pride and stands out from the crowd in academic
par excellence across the nation.
KMSS is committed to redefining modern education and retaining the historical
legacy of academic excellence throughout and aspires for soaring even higher in
academia. It makes deliberate efforts to set the student’s dreams into motion and
hanker to take the learning experience beyond the classroom to make it a unique
pool of talent. It has kept itself abreast of modern educational trends and caters to
competent modern education in resonance with the values of life and remains
committed to pursuing its goal of ‘Academic Excellence through Quality
Education’.

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KMSS has goal to impart sound professional training and knowledge to students
and to students and to inculcate in them time- tested values and responsibilities as
good citizens of the country, to strengthen students’ capacity to cope with all kinds
of challenging situations, to foster round development of students through
curricular and extracurricular programs and to motivate student to become self-
reliant and to strive for and attain academic and professional excellence.
Due to its outstanding performance and time relevant goals, KMC has achieved a
lot since its establishment. Some of the major achievements of KMC include:
honored with the Educational Award 2074 by Ministry of Education for its
outstanding results, students have secured good position in grades XI and XII
science including board top, nationwide outstanding result and many more.

Objectives
1. To get familiar with nature.
2. To study about both mathematics and nature.
3. To find mathematics around our nature through commonly seen examples
and relate them accordingly.
Rationale
This project supports the deep study of students. The relation of mathematics with
nature helps one to discover several things found in nature. It helps one to relate
nature and daily life with mathematics. This project will strengthen the capabilities
of the students. It supports for the co-curricular as well as extra-curricular
development. It helps us to discover more and more about our environment and
surroundings; the beauty of a flower, the majesty of a tree, symmetry of the rocks,
etc. We enjoy nature but do not give interest to relate it with mathematics; this
project helps us to note the importance of nature in mathematics.

Review
Mathematics helps us to deal with different problems. It helps for the operation of,
structures, numbers and their calculations. Further, it helps to understand different
forms and aspects of mathematics. Mathematics is not only limited in calculations
rather it has multiple criteria. It is used in our daily life. Through this project, we
will know those factors influencing mathematics in our daily life. Nature is the

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surroundings around us and mathematics acts as a building block of that
surrounding.
Methods
In order to find the relation of mathematics with nature, we need to get familiar
around us. We need to love our nature and its gifts. Comparing the nature with
different patterns, symmetries, shapes, diagonals and so on will give us the
conclusion about their integrated relationships.
Limitations
The limitations of the study are:
1. As nature is deep, it is not possible to address all the factors.
2. Some of the factors does not relate with mathematics.

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 CHAPTER II
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Data presentation
[A] SYMMETRIES
Symmetry is everywhere we look in nature. Symmetry is when a figure has two
sides that are mirror images of one another. It would then be possible to draw a line
through a picture of the object and along either side the image would look exactly
the same. This line would be called a line of symmetry.
There are two kinds of symmetry:
One is bilateral symmetry in which an object has two sides that are mirror images
of each other.
1. Bilateral symmetry

The human body would be an excellent example of a living being that has bilateral
symmetry.

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2. Radial symmetry

The other kind of symmetry is radial symmetry. This is where there is a center
point and numerous lines of symmetry could be drawn.
[B] SHAPES
Geometry is the branch of mathematics that describes shapes.
1. Sphere

A sphere is a perfectly round geometrical object in three-dimensional space, such

as the shape of a round ball.

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 The shape of the Earth is very close to that of an oblate spheroid, a sphere
flattened along the axis from pole to pole such that there is a bulge around the
equator.
If spheres are not balanced with one another, the world would not function as we
know it. Life on our earth depends on balance, and nature has always found a way
to balance perfect spheres over time. The balance of spheres is what makes nature
predictable and mathematical. In nature, gravity and force tend to make many
things into spheres such as bubbles, planets, and atoms. If these spheres were not
balanced, they would not exist. Thus, nature would not exist.

2. Hexagons

Hexagons are six-sided polygons, closed 2-dimensional, many sided figures with
straight edges.
For a beehive close packing is important to maximize the use of space. Hexagons
fit most closely together without any gaps; so hexagonal wax cells are what bees
create to store eggs and larva.

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Bees are not the only hexagonal- makers in the living world. We find hexagons on
tortoise shells and in the ommatidia of insects’ compound eyes.
As the Earth's surface loses water not only are mud cracks formed, but polygons as
well. These polygons create a form of repeating symmetry throughout the dried
mud puddles. As the mud loses water, this causes it to shrink and separate. The
drying mud becomes brittle and not only forms into its shapes of polygons but is
separated by vertical cracks.

3. Cones

A cone is a three-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat,

usually circular base to a point called the apex or vertex. Volcanoes form cones,
the steepness and height of which depends on the runniness (viscosity) of the lava.
Fast, runny lava forms flatter cones; thick, viscous lava forms steep-sided cones.

Data Analysis
From the above data, we can get the conclusion that mathematics and nature are
closely related to each other.

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Other different forms
1. Patterns
All around us we see a great diversity of living things; from the microscopic to the
gigantic, from the simple to the complex, from bright colors to dull ones.
One of the most intriguing things we see in nature is patterns. We tend to think of
patterns as sequences or designs that are orderly and that repeat. But we can also
think of patterns as anything that is not random.
Fractals are the 'never-ending' patterns that repeat indefinitely as the iterated on an
infinitely smaller scale. We see this type of pattern in trees, rivers, mountains,
shells, clouds, leaves, lightning, and more.
Spirals are another common pattern in nature that we see more often in living
things. Think of the horns of a sheep, the shell of a nautilus, and the placement of
leaves around a stem. A special type of spiral, the logarithmic spiral, is one that
gets smaller as it goes. We see this pattern in hurricanes, galaxies, and some
seashells.
Fibonacci Patterns Fibonacci sequence, which is the sequence of numbers that goes
1, 1, 2, 3,5,8,13,21. and so on. Each number is the sum of the two numbers before
it; for example 1 + 1 = 2; 1 + 2 = 3; 3 + 5 = 8; etc.
How does this work in nature?
We see that some plants exhibit Fibonacci pattern, like the branches of a tree. If we
start with the main branch at the bottom, it splits off so that we have two, it splits
off again so that we have 3, and so forth. The family tree within a honeybee colony
also exhibits a Fibonacci pattern. The drone in the colony hatches from an
unfertilized egg, so it only has one parent (1, 1...). But it has two grandparents
because the queens and workers who produce these eggs have two parents (1, 1,
2...). It therefore has three great- grandparents (1, 1, 2, 3...), and so on. The
reasoning behind the Fibonacci sequence in nature may be one of the least
understood of all the patterns.

2. Tessellations
Tessellations are patterns that are formed by repeated cubes or tiles. These too can
occur with both living and non-living things. Tessellations are patterns formed by

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repeating tiles all over a flat surface. There are 17 wallpaper groups of tilings.
While common in art and design, exactly repeating tilings are less easy to find in
living things. The cells in the paper nests of social wasps, and the wax cells in
honeycomb built by honey bees are well-known examples.

3. Rainbow
A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction
and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing
in the sky. All rainbows are actually circular, but the center of the circle is usually
below the ground, so we only see an arc. From an airplane, though, it's possible to
see the complete 360 degrees. The rainbow will appear to keep pace with we no
matter how fast the plane flies (as long as there's still rain in the air) because it isn't
a physical object - it's a pattern.

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 CHAPTER III
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Mathematics is unavoidable. It's deeply fundamental thing. Without math, there

would be no science, no music, and no art. Similarly mathematics is directly or
indirectly related with nature and our lives. Mathematics is a part of all of those
things. If it's got a structure, then there's an aspect of it that's mathematical.
Therefore, we should learn by exploring different things to get the broad
knowledge. We should share them with our family, friends and other people.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Dictionary
2. https://www.wikipedia.com
3. https://www.mathgeekmama.com
4. https://www.scientificworldinfo.com
5. https://www.byjus.com
6. Wertheimer, Richard. (2002) Forum: Making It All Add Up. Retrieved June
29, 2006
7. Knight, Michelle. (2005) Everyday Math Has Its Proponents. Retrieved
June 27, 2006.
8. About Everyday Mathematics: Research & Development. (2003). Retrieved
June 27, 2006.
9. https://www.slideshare.net

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