1.2 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE TTH 12

FIBONACCI SEQUENCE and the GOLDEN RATIO
The Fibonacci Sequence is the series of numbers:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377,
610, 987, …
The next number is found by adding up the two numbers
before it.
Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2
 The Fibonacci sequence is named for Leonardo Fibonacci,

born in 1170 in Pisa, Italy.
 Fibonacci introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to Europeans
with the publication of his book “Liber Abaci” in 1202.
 He also introduced the Fibonacci sequence, which was
already known to Indian mathematicians.
 The sequence is important, because it appears in many
places in nature, including: plant leafing patterns, spiral
galaxy patterns, and the chambered nautilus’
measurements.
Fibonacci first described his famous number sequence as

the solution to a math problem.
The Rabbit Problem
 All pairs of rabbits consist of a male and female.
 One pair of newborn rabbits is placed in hutch on January 1.
 When this pair is 2 months old they produce a pair of baby
rabbits.
 Every month afterwards they produce another pair.
 All rabbits produce pairs in the same manner.
 Rabbits don’t die.
How many pairs of rabbits will there be 12 months later?
The solution to this rabbit problem is the Fibonacci Sequence.
Fibonacci Surprises
Consider the Fibonacci sequence with 1 as the first two terms.
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...
1. Where do the even numbers come in the sequence? Is there

a pattern?
2. Which Fibonacci numbers are divisible by 3?

3. Try adding together any three consecutive Fibonacci
numbers. What do you notice?
4. Choose any four consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Add the

first and last, and divide by two. What do you notice?
5. Add together any six consecutive Fibonacci numbers and

divide by four. What do you notice?
6. Try adding together any four consecutive Fibonacci

numbers. What do you notice?
7. Choose any two consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Determine

the greatest common divisor of the two. What do you
notice?
The Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

The number of petals in a flower consistently follows the Fibonacci
sequence. Famous examples include the lily, which has three petals, buttercups,
which have five (pictured at left), the chicory's 21, the daisy's 34, and so on.
The Fibonacci sequence can also be seen in the way tree branches form
or split. A main trunk will grow until it produces a branch, which creates two
growth points. Then, one of the new stems branches into two, while the other one
lies dormant. This pattern of branching is repeated for each of the new stems. A
good example is the sneezewort. Root systems and even algae exhibit this
pattern.
The Golden Ratio
Let us take the ratio of two consecutive terms in the
Fibonacci sequence.
Fibonacci Ratio: Fn / Fn-1 Fibonacci Ratio: Fn / Fn-1
Number Number
The golden ratio, denoted by Φ (phi), is given by
or
The Golden Ratio is also sometimes called the golden

section, golden mean, golden number, divine
proportion, divine section and golden proportion.
Binet’s Formula
If Fn is the nth term of the Fibonacci sequence, then
Example. Using Binet’s Formula, find the 9th, 15th, and 25th terms
of the Fibonacci sequence.
The Golden Ratio in the Human Body
Even our bodies exhibit proportions that are consistent
with Fibonacci numbers. For example, the measurement from
the navel to the floor and the top of the head to the navel is the
golden ratio.
The total height of a man's body is divided into four

principal zones: top of head to shoulder, shoulder to navel,
navel to knee, and knee to base of foot.
The Golden Rectangle
A golden rectangle is one whose sides are in the golden
ratio.
A golden rectangle is one which can be cut up into a

square and a rectangle that is similar to the original one.
A golden rectangle exhibits a special form of self-similarity.
All rectangles created by adding or removing a square are
golden rectangles as well.
Example. If the width of a plywood is 4 feet, what should be the

length for it to become a golden rectangle?
The Golden Ratio (Golden Rectangle) in Architecture
The golden rectangle was considered by the Greeks to be
the most pleasing proportions, and its shape figures in ancient
architecture. It was used many times in the design of the
famous Greek temple, the Parthenon.
The main building of the Taj Mahal was designed using the Golden Ratio. This
is why it looks so perfect. The rectangles that served as the basic outline for the exterior
of the building were all in the Golden Proportion.
The Golden Ratio in the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre

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FIBONACCI SEQUENCE and the GOLDEN RATIO

The Fibonacci Sequence is the series of numbers:

 The Fibonacci sequence is named for Leonardo Fibonacci,

Fibonacci first described his famous number sequence as

The solution to this rabbit problem is the Fibonacci Sequence.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...

1. Where do the even numbers come in the sequence? Is there

2. Which Fibonacci numbers are divisible by 3?

4. Choose any four consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Add the

5. Add together any six consecutive Fibonacci numbers and

6. Try adding together any four consecutive Fibonacci

7. Choose any two consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Determine

The Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

The golden ratio, denoted by Φ (phi), is given by

The Golden Ratio is also sometimes called the golden

The total height of a man's body is divided into four

A golden rectangle is one which can be cut up into a

Example. If the width of a plywood is 4 feet, what should be the

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