Module 2 Chapter 9

The Fibonnaci Sequence and the Golden Section

Leonardo Fibonnaci was a thirteenth century mathematician who devised a sequence of numbers, each being the sum of the previous two - 0 + 1 = 1 ; 1 + 1 = 2 ; 1 + 2 = 3 ; 2 + 3 = 5 ; 3 + 5 = 8 ; 5 + 8 = 13 ; 8 + 13 = 21 etc.

The numbers in the sequence are in the same ratio as a number of patterns in nature:

• the spiral of seeds in a sunflower
• the spiral of shells and ammonites
• pine cones
• the division of stems and branches of plants and trees
• the number of petals in a flower

Using these proportions makes a pleasing series of stripes, and all the following designs are made by cutting paper using the sequence and rearranging them.

2.9.1

2.9.2

2.9.3

2.9.4

2.9.5

2.9.6

2.9.7

2.9.8

2.9.9

2.9.10

2.9.11

The Golden Section is a series of squares drawn using the Fibonnaci sequence.

2.9.12

2.9.13

2.9.14

2.9.15

2.9.16

2.9.17
2.9.18