The Hidden Art of Math: Beauty Beyond the Numbers
- Haaniyah Shaik
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Beyond what we know, math has always been a subject discussed in lecture halls. Often, when the topic comes up, we all ask the same question: "When will I ever use this in real life?" What’s interesting is that we already know the answer—math is everywhere. What frustrates many of us is that this isn’t new knowledge. We’ve always known its presence, yet we continue to question its relevance. Nature offers a compelling starting point for understanding the broader theme. One example we can easily observe is the patterns found in flowers. These patterns can be described using mathematical equations. The way the pistils of a flower are arranged in a continuous spiral sequence reflects the famous Fibonacci sequence. The branching of trees or the symmetry in a butterfly’s wings also shows how even the smallest things around us follow mathematical rules. These natural designs are not just beautiful—they’re proof that math is silently shaping the world around us.
Some people say that we don’t really need math in life and that we’ve managed fine without it. But that idea ignores how deeply connected math is to everything around us, including our future careers. Whether you’re an artist using measurements to create realistic features or a designer working with shapes and proportions, math plays a role. In fact, math itself can be turned into art. Students from UCL even created artwork using only mathematical equations, showing how math can be both functional and beautiful.
This connection goes even deeper—into the world of music. Marcus Miller, a musician and mathematician, explained how math and music are both full of patterns, rhythms, and deep meaning. Just as music uses harmonies and notes to create emotion, math uses patterns and logic to uncover truths. He compares math to music to show that math is not just about solving equations—it’s about seeing beauty in the structure of the world.
He also talks about infinity to show how magical math is. Most of us think infinity is just one endless idea, but Miller explains that there are different sizes of infinity. Natural numbers, integers, and fractions all belong to one kind, called Aleph-null. But
Real numbers—like decimals that go on forever without repeating—belong to a bigger, uncountable infinity. Using a clever idea called Cantor’s diagonal argument, he proves there are numbers we can never even list. This connection goes even deeper—into the world of music. Behind every beat and rhythm lies a math story. For example, a 4/4 time signature means each measure contains four quarter-note beats. This is a simple fraction in action. In African drumming traditions, polyrhythms often layer a 3-beat rhythm over a 4-beat one, creating complex cross-patterns that can be described using ratios like 3:4. Tools like Fourier analysis allow us to break down a complicated drum solo or electronic beat into simpler sine waves, revealing the fundamental components of what we hear. The structure of music itself is filled with mathematical ideas. Take Johann Sebastian Bach’s fugues, which often use mirror symmetry and inversion concepts straight from group theory, to create intricate variations of a central theme. Or consider the 12-bar blues, which cycles through a predictable chord progression (I–IV–V) every twelve measures, demonstrating repetition and modular arithmetic at work. Math also plays a role in how we tune our instruments. Pythagorean tuning relies on simple whole-number ratios, such as the perfect fifth (3:2), to create naturally pleasing intervals. On the other hand, equal temperament divides an octave into 12 equal parts using the twelfth root of 2, allowing musicians to play in any key without retuning.
Ultimately, math isn’t just something behind the scenes—it’s the quiet composer helping every song come to life. With the undeniable presence of math, we can see that every career and field relies on it as a fundamental foundation. How can we hate something that makes the impossible possible? Whether it’s the simple job of an artist, a musician, a farmer, or even someone in the service industry, math is present in every step. It’s what connects everything—an equation that shapes the world around us.
References Nucleus_AI. "These Images Were Created Using Mathematical Equations Only!" YourStory, 16 Jan. 2025,
Miller, Marcus. "The Beauty of Math and Music | Marcus Miller | TEDxOttawa." YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, 5 Oct. 2019.
The Mathematics of Music." Mathematical Mysteries, https://mathematicalmysteries.org/the-mathematics-of-music/.
Christensen, Erik. "Natural Patterns are extremely beautiful.
ECstep, https://ecstep.com/natural-patterns/.
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