Golden ratio
If a person has one number a and another smaller number b, he can make the ratio of the two numbers by dividing them. Their ratio is a/b. The person can make another ratio by adding the two numbers together a+b and dividing this by the larger number a. The new ratio is (a+b)/a. If these two ratios are equal to the same number, then that number is called the golden ratio. The Greek letter [math]\displaystyle{ \varphi }[/math] (phi) is usually used as the name for the golden ratio.
For example, if b = 1 and a/b = [math]\displaystyle{ \varphi }[/math], then a = [math]\displaystyle{ \varphi }[/math]. The second ratio (a+b)/a is then [math]\displaystyle{ (\varphi+1)/\varphi }[/math]. Because these two ratios are equal, this is true:
[math]\displaystyle{ \varphi = \frac{\varphi+1}{\varphi} }[/math]
One way to write this number is
[math]\displaystyle{ \varphi = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} }[/math]
[math]\displaystyle{ \sqrt{5} }[/math] is like any number which, when multiplied by itself, makes 5(or which number is multiplied): [math]\displaystyle{ \sqrt5\times\sqrt5=5 }[/math].
The golden ratio is an irrational number. If a person tries to write it, it will never stop and never be the same again and again, but it will start this way: 1.6180339887... An important thing about this number is that a person can subtract 1 from it or divide 1 by it. Either way, the number will still keep going and never stop.
- [math]\displaystyle{ \begin{array}{ccccc} \varphi-1 &=& 1.6180339887...-1 &=& 0.6180339887...\\ 1/\varphi &=& \frac{1}{1.6180339887...} &=& 0.6180339887... \end{array} }[/math]
Golden rectangle
If the length of a rectangle divided by its width is equal to the golden ratio, then the rectangle is a "golden rectangle". If a square is cut off from one end of a golden rectangle, then the other end is a new golden rectangle. In the picture, the big rectangle (blue and pink together) is a golden rectangle because [math]\displaystyle{ a/b=\varphi }[/math]. The blue part (B) is a square. The pink part by itself (A) is another golden rectangle because [math]\displaystyle{ b/(a-b)=\varphi }[/math]. The big rectangle and the pink rectangle have the same form, but the pink rectangle is smaller and is turned.
Fibonacci numbers
The Fibonacci numbers are a list of numbers. A person can find the next number in the list by adding the last two numbers together. If a person divides a number in the list by the number that came before it, this ratio comes closer and closer to the golden ratio.
| Fibonacci number | divided by the one before | ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 1 | 1/1 | = 1.0000 |
| 2 | 2/1 | = 2.0000 |
| 3 | 3/2 | = 1.5000 |
| 5 | 5/3 | = 1.6667 |
| 8 | 8/5 | = 1.6000 |
| 13 | 13/8 | = 1.6250 |
| 21 | 21/13 | = 1.6154... |
| 34 | 34/21 | = 1.6190... |
| 55 | 55/34 | = 1.6177... |
| 89 | 89/55 | = 1.6182... |
| ... | ... | ... |
| [math]\displaystyle{ \varphi }[/math] | = 1.6180... |
Golden ratio in nature
In nature, the golden ratio is often used for the arrangement of leaves or flowers. These use the golden angle of approximately 137.5 degrees. Leaves or flowers arranged in that angle best use sunlight.