MEPX
Chapter 9 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Finding the rule
  2. 2Arithmetic sequences
  3. 3Geometric sequences
  4. 4Sequences worth knowing
  5. 5Primes and factors
  6. 6Writing the nth term
  7. 7Patterns from shapes
  8. 8Recursive rules
  9. 9Patterns outside mathematics
  10. 10Solving pattern puzzles

Chapter 9 of 10

Patterns outside mathematics

Where the sequences show up.

Growth

Exponential sequences describe populations, compound interest and viral spread. Sunflower seeds and pine cones arrange in Fibonacci counts because that packing is efficient.

  • Exponential growth always looks slow at the start, which is why it is underestimated.
  • Doubling times are the honest way to describe it: 70 divided by the percentage growth.

A caution

People find patterns in randomness very readily. Three points can be fitted by many rules, and the fact that a formula matches is not proof that it is the reason.