Member-only story

Can You See the Circle in Nature's Numbers?: A Journey into the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio

Kazuo Ishiguro

·15k Followers· Follow

Published in Can You See A Circle? (Nature Numbers): Explore Shapes

5 min read

533 View Claps

84 Respond

Save

Listen

Can You See a Circle? (Nature Numbers): Explore Shapes

by Ruth Musgrave

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	26908 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	32 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. The sequence begins with 0 and 1, and continues as follows: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, ...

The golden ratio is a special number that is approximately equal to 1.618. It is often found in nature and art, and is considered to be aesthetically pleasing.

The Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

The Fibonacci sequence appears in a wide variety of natural phenomena, including the spiral patterns of seashells, the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem, and the branching of trees.

One of the most famous examples of the Fibonacci sequence in nature is the spiral pattern of the nautilus shell. The nautilus is a type of marine animal that lives in a spiral shell. The shell is divided into a series of chambers, each of which is larger than the previous one. The ratio of the size of each chamber to the size of the previous chamber is approximately the golden ratio.

The Fibonacci sequence also appears in the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem. The leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern, and the number of leaves in each spiral is a Fibonacci number. For example, the first spiral has one leaf, the second spiral has two leaves, the third spiral has three leaves, and so on.

The Fibonacci sequence also appears in the branching of trees. The branches of a tree are arranged in a spiral pattern, and the number of branches in each spiral is a Fibonacci number.

The Golden Ratio in Nature

The golden ratio is found in a wide variety of natural phenomena, including the shape of seashells, the arrangement of petals on a flower, and the proportions of the human body.

One of the most famous examples of the golden ratio in nature is the shape of the nautilus shell. The nautilus shell is a spiral that is divided into a series of chambers. The ratio of the width of each chamber to the height of the chamber is approximately the golden ratio.

The golden ratio also appears in the arrangement of petals on a flower. The petals of a flower are arranged in a spiral pattern, and the number of petals in each spiral is a Fibonacci number. The ratio of the width of each petal to the length of the petal is approximately the golden ratio.

The golden ratio also appears in the proportions of the human body. The ratio of the height of the human body to the width of the body is approximately the golden ratio. The ratio of the length of the arm to the length of the forearm is also approximately the golden ratio.

The Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio in Art, Architecture, and Music

The Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio have been used in art, architecture, and music for centuries. In art, the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio have been used to create paintings, sculptures, and other works of art that are considered to be aesthetically pleasing.

In architecture, the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio have been used to design buildings that are considered to be both beautiful and functional. Some of the most famous examples of architecture that use the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio include the Parthenon in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

In music, the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio have been used to create compositions that are considered to be both beautiful and harmonious. Some of the most famous examples of music that uses the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio include the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach.

The Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio are two of the most fascinating mathematical concepts found in nature. From the spiral patterns of seashells to the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem, these numbers and ratios appear in a wide variety of natural phenomena. They have also been used in art, architecture, and music for centuries to create works of art that are considered to be both beautiful and harmonious.

Can You See a Circle? (Nature Numbers): Explore Shapes

by Ruth Musgrave

4.7 out of 5