November 23, 2023
One of the most important mathematicians of the Middle Ages, Leonardo Bonacci — later known as Fibonacci, “the son of” Bonacci — invented a sequence of numbers that shows up constantly in nature, physics, and design.
Born to an Italian merchant, the young Leonardo traveled to North Africa with his father, where he was exposed to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. The system, which includes zero and limits itself to 10 symbols, is much more agile and flexible compared to the unwieldy Roman numeral system. In 1202, Fibonacci published “Liber Abaci”, introducing Europe to the Hindu-Arabic system and his now-famous sequence.
Starting with 0,1, 1, 2, 3 the Fibonacci sequence is created by adding up the two previous numbers to get the next one. Fibonacci’s original example for his sequence pondered the population growth of rabbits. If starting with one pair, and each month that pair bears a new pair, the number of rabbits will grow at a rate consistent with his pattern of numbers.
The Golden Ratio, a proportion associated with the Fibonacci sequence and also frequently found in nature, is roughly 1 to 1.6. This ratio shows up in the branching patterns of trees, the distribution of seeds in berries, the spiral arms of galaxies, and many more natural and human-engineered things.
Fibonacci Day celebrates this important mathematician and gives us an opportunity to marvel at the way math pervades everything around us. The Fibonacci sequence can be used to calculate the proportions of countless things on Earth and beyond, such as animals, plants, weather patterns, and even galaxies.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
Flower petals consistently come in Fibonacci numbers. Petals are arranged in a way that gives each one optimal sunlight and nutrients.
The logarithmic spiral formed by the Golden Rectangle shows dramatically in the infinite spirals of seashells.
Each arm of the Milky Way Galaxy is a logarithmic spiral. The spiral clouds of hurricanes follow a Fibonacci spiral.
Human and animal faces are often proportioned according to the Golden Ratio. Features that adhere most closely to these proportions are perceived as more pleasing or beautiful. (see Mona Lisa)
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