Eyes to See, Math to Understand
I wrote this essay as part of my Math in the Modern World Class.
Unbeknownst to many, mathematics is not just a subject in school that teaches you to “crunch numbers” for the sake of crunching numbers, it is really a science of patterns.
Have you ever noticed how a spider constructs its web? It creates the web in a repeating fashion with near-perfect symmetry using only bare claws. The amazing part here is the fact that a spider did not use any tools nor have knowledge of the “maths” and “measurement” in order to create such a perfect web; it already knew how to do so instinctively. The main insight I got from thinking about this scenario was that mathematics is embedded in the very nature of the universe. Creatures have evolved to use math intuitively to create patterns that are not only aesthetically pleasing but serve a vital role in ensuring survival. The same can be said for patterns on flower petals and tree leaves; they don’t exist just to look beautiful, but they evolved that way to be efficient in sustaining life. The latin etymology of “science” literally means “to know”, and studying mathematics can offer key insights into how the world works.
Mathematics is not just any science however, it is a science of patterns. According to what I’ve learned in the previous modules, a pattern is defined as an arrangement of elements in a certain way. There are three main elements that make a “pattern” a pattern; repetition, regularity, and rule. One aspect that separates a pattern from randomness is the concept of “predictability”. If something isn’t predictable through logic and analysis, then it is not a pattern.
Have you ever noticed that you follow a daily routine? Wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, go to school…? This in itself is an example of a pattern in daily life. It is a pattern because you repeat it daily, on regular intervals and follow a certain chronological order or “rule” that ensures you get to do everything that you need to do every day. As you can see, even though you are not conscious or aware of it, you are already doing math.
Studying patterns mathematically also allows you to understand what makes certain things “beautiful” and “functional”. There are many types of geometric transformations that heavily influence our amazement at a visual thing. For instance, a wallpaper is “beautiful” because it follows some sort of geometric translation, reflection or rotation. The human eye and human mind are naturally drawn to things that have patterns, because humans have evolved to seek logic embedded inside aesthetics. To add to this, pattern prediction is another tool we subconsciously use to help boost our quality of life. If we know that the traffic rush hour is every 8am in the morning, we make the effort to leave home earlier so we don’t get caught up and late for work or school. Here, we used pattern analysis to generate a prediction, and that prediction helped us create a meaningful action that prevented us from being late.
To sum it all up, one can justify that math is a science of patterns for the main reasons being; it is a universal natural concept (science), a field of study that aims to understand, and an instrument that allows us to use patterns to deepen our creativity, improve our decision making, solve problems and make life convenient.
I believe that the importance of studying mathematics as a science of patterns lies mostly in its utility in helping us appreciate and understand the world around us. Back then, whenever I find art or architecture to be “visually appealing”, I am usually at a loss of words as to “why”. I know that what is in front of me is indeed “beautiful”, but I can never really explain the reason behind it. Little did I know it would all make sense because of mathematics. Terms such as repetitions, translation, reflection and so on, all contribute in helping me discover the logical sense behind aesthetics and the artists who create them. To add to this, it is a fact that we all already do math without even knowing it, but if we take the time to understand our very own thought patterns, we might learn something new about ourselves every day. I believe everyone in the world should not limit the study of math to just numbers and equations, but also see it in the light of patterns to be able to both discover and create something unique in this mysterious yet beautiful world. This is why it is important to study mathematics as a science of patterns.
Citations
● R. Cruz (2020) Elements Of Patterns; Module 1, Math in the Modern World.
● Oxford Languages: Etymology of “Science”. Retrieved from oup.com
Notes
This essay is protected by Turnitin, you could get expelled if you even attempt to plagiarize it.
Originally written for MMW Class, ‘21
