DISCLAIMER
These unpolished learning modules were compiled and prepared for personal use of students in GEC
05: Mathematics in the Modern World of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) ONLY, and not
as a reference material. Unauthorized distribution of the modules is not allowed. The topics included
are given in summary form and does not claim to be complete. The instructors do not claim
ownership of all the contents since it was taken from several resources including books, journals, and
the internet.
III. Fibonacci Sequence, Proportion, and Golden Ratio
Geometry has two great treasures; one is the theorem of Pythagoras; the other the division of line into
extreme and mean ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a
precious jewel
- Johannes Kepler
Proportion is generally used to express the relation of parts to each other or to a whole which is built
upon similarity of two ratios. In the last topic, we studied how mathematics enters through the idea
of symmetry and perspective. In this lesson, we will focus to another major idea involved in balance
and harmony in art and nature: proportion. The Greeks claimed that the most visually appealing
division of the line had the property that the ratio of the length of the long piece to the length of the
short piece is the same as the ratio of the length of the entire line segment to the length of the long
piece. Another connection that we will explore in this module is the connection of golden ratio and
Fibonacci sequence.
Number Patterns
Number patterns are familiar to us since they are among the patterns we first learned at home and
at school. The way we count the natural numbers as 1,2,3,4,5… and skip counting as 2,4,6,8,10… is
useful because it helps us to predict the next number in the sequence. Recognizing number patterns
is also an important problem -solving skills.
Let us predict the next number in the sequence 1,4,9,16, _______. Yes, its 25 why? These number-
pattern is a sequence of perfect squares.
Recall how the numbers in Pascal’s triangle are constructed. Discover and discuss at least three
patterns within the Pascal’s triangle. Explore numbers along the diagonal of the Pascal’s triangle,
binomial expansion, or adding shallow diagonals. What have you observed? Discuss it with your
group.
mathmammoth.com
Figure 3.1 Patterns in Pascal's Triangle
Your answer to number patterns found in the shallow diagonals of the Pascal’s triangle is a number
pattern involving Fibonacci numbers. We will discover how seemingly abstract mathematical
concepts plays a very interesting role in the development of natural phenomena. Fibonacci numbers
appear everywhere – in leaves, flower petals, seeds of sunflower, scales of pineapple, and many
others.
1 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 13 , 21, ….
This pattern was popularized
in Europe by Leonardo of Pisa
also known as Leonardo Fibonacci. He is one of the most
influential mathematicians of the Middle Ages. His book Liber
Abaci played a role in the adoption of the Arabic decimal system of
counting.
In this book, you will find the famous problem of breeding rabbits
which become instrumental in the study of patterns and Divine
proportion.
The sequence is found by adding the previous two numbers of the
sequence together. It looks like this: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34...
And on it goes.
Printerest.com Figure3.2 Leonardo of Pisa
pinterest.co The Problem
m
A problem that appears in the third section of Liber Abaci led to the discovery of Fibonacci sequence:
“A certain man put a pair of rabbits in a place surrounded on all sides by a wall.
How many pairs of rabbits can be produced from that pair in a year if it is supposed
that every month each pair begets a new pair, which from the second month on
becomes productive.”
Solution:
Assume that the rabbits always produced one male and one female offspring such that they:
• Can reproduce once every month
• Can reproduce when they are one month old
• They never die
Month Number of Pairs of rabbit Result
January After one month, the first pair mated but have = 1 pair
not given birth yet.
February After two months, the first pair gave birth to = 2 pairs
another pair
March After 3 months, the 1st pair gave birth to their 1+2= 3 pairs
2nd pair, their first born mated but have not
given birth yet
April After 4 months, the first pair gave birth to 1 + 3+ 1 = 5 pairs
their 3rd pair their first born gave birth to their
first pair
May After 5 months, the 1st pair gave birth to their 1 + 4 + 3 = 8 pairs
4th pair , their first born gave birth to their
second pair,, etc.
… …. …
… … …
The number of pairs of rabbit after a year is 233. Do you think
the problem is realistic? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
Following the pattern, 1, 1, 2 ,3 , 5 , 8 … how do we determine
the next value in the sequence
Finding the 𝒏th Term in a Fibonacci Sequence
Example :
If the 16th Fibonacci number is 987, and the 18th Fibonacci is 2584 , determine 17th Fibonacci number.
Answer: 1597
𝐹18 = 𝐹17 + 𝐹16
2584 = 𝐹17 + 987
𝐹16 = 987 𝐹18 =2584 find 𝐹17
2584 − 987 = 1597
But how can we find any Fibonacci number without enumerating the previous numbers? For
example, how can we find the 25th Fibonacci number without knowing 𝐹24 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹23 ? With the help
of a handheld calculator or Excel we could find 𝐹25 which is 75025. Now let us use bigger Fibonacci
number. Suppose we want to find 𝐹100 ? Fortunately, there is an easier way of determining the nth
Fibonacci number. It is called the Binet’s Formula. Look for this formula and show that 𝐹25 = 75025
𝜑𝑛 −(1− 𝜑)𝑛 𝜑𝑛
Solution: Binet’s Formula 𝐹𝑛 = =
√5 √5
1.6180339887…25
Let n = 25 so, 𝐹25 = = 75024.999984 approximately 75025 which is the 25th
√5
Fibonacci number.
TRY THESE: Some mathematical properties of Fibonacci numbers
1. Observe the index number of even Fibonacci numbers. Do you notice a pattern?
2. Where are the Fibonacci numbers which are multiples of 3? Of 5?
In these observations, what general rule will you suggest?
3. If you take any three consecutive Fibonacci numbers, the square of the middle
number is always one away from the product of the outer two numbers
𝐹𝑛+1 𝐹𝑛−1 − 𝐹𝑛 2 = (−1)2
We can find many instances of mathematical order involving the Fibonacci numbers in nature. Some
of these patterns which appear in different natural creations can be modelled mathematically. So, let
us start looking for the patterns.
Fibonacci in Flower and Leaf Arrangement
The Fibonacci sequence plays a vital role in phyllotaxis, which studies the arrangement of leaves,
branches, flowers or seeds in plants, with the main aim of highlighting the existence of regular
patterns.
In the sunflower, individual flowers are
arranged along curved lines which rotate
clockwise and counterclockwise.
Credits: The Fibonacci sequence in
phyllotaxis – Laura Resta (Degree Thesis in
biomathematics)
Arrangement of leaves on a stem.
Credits: The Fibonacci sequence in
phyllotaxis – Laura Resta (Degree Thesis in
biomathematics)
Iris, 3 petals; parnassia, 5 petals; cosmea, 8
petals
It is possible to find the Fibonacci sequence in nature given by the number of petals of flowers. Most
have three (like lilies and irises), five (parnassia, rose hips) or eight (cosmea), 13 (some daisies), 21
(chicory), 34, 55 or 89 (Asteraceae)
Fibonacci in Fruits
If we cut banana and apple then Fibonacci appears in the number of sections 3 for banana and 5 for
apple. On the other hand, the number of hexagonal nubs arranged in spirals for pineapple also exhibit
Fibonacci number. Similar case is observed on spirals of pine cones which contain spirals from the
center with arms 5 arms and 8 arms or 8 arms and 13 arms.
Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio
Let us visualize these numbers using square tiles. Starting with
one square tile then another, together they form a 1 x 2 rectangle.
On top of this rectangle, we construct a 2 x 2 square, beneath that
a 5 x 5 square. If we continue to do this and connect opposing
diagonals continuously it will reveal a fibonacci spiral. This spiral
could be seen a lot in nature, architecture , arts , human body and
beyond.
If we are going to divide the two dimensions 8 and 13, notice that its just like dividing two consecutive
Fibonacci numbers. Doing this to the highest possible pair of Fibonacci numbers will give us the
GOLDEN RATIO. The golden ratio is approximately equal to 1.618 represented by the Greek letter Phi
( 𝜑 ). Scholars during the time of Pythagoras asked the following question: How can a line segment
be divided into two pieces that have the most appeal and balance?
𝑎 𝑎+𝑏
𝑏
= 𝑎
= 𝜑 = 1.618
Show your derivation of this value.
The golden ratio is a term used to describe the relationship between two numbers. If you have a
number a and a lower number b then the two are in the golden ratio if the quotient of these numbers
somehow near to 1.618. So basically, any ratio which comes close to this value is claimed to be
perfectly proportioned or it is the most visually pleasing to the eye.
The Golden ratio is sometimes coined as the Divine Proportion, Golden Mean, Golden Rectangle,
Golden Spiral and Golden Section. The appearance of this ratio in music, in patterns of human
behavior, even in the proportion of the human body, all point to its universality as a principle of good
structure and design.
Used in art, the golden ratio is the most mysterious of all compositional strategies. We know that by
creating images based on this rectangle our art will be more likely to appeal to the human eye, but
we don’t know why. Much of the works of Renaissance period are central to the idea of this ratio as
illustrated in the following figures.
Do you think that the golden rectangle is visually more pleasing than the other rectangles? Explain.
Since the discovery of the golden ratio, many individuals incorporate their work to this ratio. The
works of Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo employed the same technique. In music,
evidences were found on the work of Debussy, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Chopin. Try to listen to
musical piece that golden ratio is being displayed. Is it pleasing to our ears?
Write the first 12 Fibonacci numbers, we have already identified this with our works on the breeding
of the rabbits.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144
𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144
Now take the ratio of 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89
and determine its decimal
approximation . What do you notice?
𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 1 1 2 3 5 89
Do the same with the ratio of 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 1 2 3 5 8
… . 144 . What do you notice?
The first set of approximations will lead to the value of 𝜑 = 1.618…. The other set of approximations
1
will lead us to its reciprocal 𝜑 = 0.618. Amazing right? This is why the Fibonacci sequence is
incorporated to the golden ratio. If Fibonacci sequence is present in nature then we can see
something which brings balance and harmony. The natural world is really a wonderful place to live
in.
Calculating Golden Ratio
Suppose the line segment is divided according to the golden ratio. If the length of the longer piece is
5cm, how long is the entire segment?
Answer: 8.1cm
Solution: Let a be the longer line segment = 5cm
𝑎
Because the line segment is in the golden ratio we know that 𝑏
= 𝜑.
𝑎
We solve for b by multiplying both sides by both b 𝑏 ( 𝑏) = 𝑏𝜑
𝑎
Divide both sides by 𝜑 𝑏= 𝜑
= 3.1cm
The entire segment has length a + b so 5cm + 3.1cm = 8.1cm
REFERENCES
Aufmann, Richard N., et al. Mathematical Excursions, 3rd ed., Cengage Learning, 2013.
Bennett, Jeffrey O. et al, Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach,
Pearson Education Inc.,2011
Blay, Basilia E., et al. Mathematical Trips in the Modern World, Outcomes- Based Approach, Anvil
Publishing, Inc, 2020
De Las Peñas, M.L.A.N., Salvador-Amores, A. Enigmatic Geometric Tattoos of the Butbut of Kalinga,
Philippines. Math Intelligencer 41, 31–38 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00283-018-09864-6
Earnhart, Richard T., & Adina, Edgar M., Mathematics in the Modern World, Outcome-Based
Module, C&E Publishing, Inc., 2018.
Online References
http://www.jwilson.coe.uga.edu Exploring Fibonacci Sequence
http://www.eniscuola.net/en/2016/06/27/the-numbers-of-nature-the-fibonacci-sequence/
https://www.slideshare.net/mrsbauerart/linear-perspective-14587270
https://www.google.com/search?q=symmetry+in+nature+examples
https://static2.bigstockphoto.com/0/3/1/large1500/130158797.jpg
https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/what-is-the-golden-ratio
https://drawpaintacademy.com/golden-ratio-in-art/
DISCLAIMER
These unpolished learning modules were compiled and prepared for personal use of students in GEC
05: Mathematics in the Modern World of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) ONLY, and not
as a reference material. Unauthorized distribution of the modules is not allowed. The topics included
are given in summary form and does not claim to be complete. The instructors do not claim
ownership of all the contents since it was taken from several resources including books, journals, and
the internet.
