What patterns do you see?

Identifying patterns is an important skill in understanding math and science. Patterns can be seen all around us. They are sometimes seen as repeating visual images or may be found as special arrangements of numbers in a list.

Animal brains are very good at identifying patterns. In this video, Ted's brain quickly tells him that Barkley's wallpaper pattern is broken in the dark area of the wall. His eyes and brain work together to recognize this change in pattern easily. He doesn't have to think about it.

Because of our brain's ability to recognize visual patterns easily, scientists often prefer to look at information in terms of a graph rather than a list of numbers.

Patterns are often associated with symmetry. In fact, the wallpaper that Barkley is hanging has a symmetry similar to some patterns found in particles that make up crystals in solids. Studying symmetry helps scientists understand how nature works.

Humans have a special kind of symmetry, or pattern to their body. If you draw an imaginary line from your head to the floor between your eyes, the right half of your body looks almost identical to the left half. This symmetry is called bilateral (having two sides) symmetry. Many other items found in nature, such as butterflies, leaves, and insects, have bilateral symmetry.

Radial symmetry can also be seen in nature. This type of symmetry is seen when similar parts are arranged around a central axis. A tree trunk and mushroom have radial symmetry.

Symmetry and patterns in nature are not only beautiful, but good ways to help scientists and mathematicians sort and organize nature. These visual similarities often indicate other less obvious similarities for natural things.