Publication Date

1968

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Beach, James W.||Miller, Herbert (Professor of mathematics)

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Mathematics

LCSH

Nature--Study and teaching

Abstract

This paper represents a compilation of material on the relationship of mathematics and nature. Teachers, especially, may find it a convenient and useful source for showing where mathematical form exists in nature and can thereby increase the interest of their students in the study of mathematics. Mathematical form is displayed by endless varieties of natural objects. The terms of the Fibonacci series are shown in plant life - in the placement of leaves on the stem, of scales on the pine cone, and of florets on the head of the sunflower. The scales of the pine cone and florets of the sunflower also form intersecting logarithmic spirals. Besides those found in plant life, logarithmic spirals are also found in animal life, e. g. in the construction of the gastropod's and the nautilus shells, in the construction of the geometrical spider's web, and in the growth of the horns of many animals. Symmetry about a point is represented in the snowflake and in the bee's cell. In addition, the form of the bee's cell is the best possible for holding the greatest amount of honey for the least expenditure of wax, while fitting the bee's body.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.

Extent

x, 47 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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