Patterns in Nature

Mathematics and its Applications

Fibonacci Sequence

Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the

World

September 10, 2021

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Outline

1 Patterns in Nature

2 Mathematics and its Applications

3 Fibonacci Sequence

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Objectives:

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Objectives:
(1) Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world which
are manifestations of the application of mathematics;

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Objectives:
(1) Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world which
are manifestations of the application of mathematics;
(2) Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life
through its everyday uses;

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Objectives:
(1) Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world which
are manifestations of the application of mathematics;
(2) Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life
through its everyday uses;
(3) Appreciate the usefulness of mathematics to humanity; and

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Objectives:
(1) Identify patterns in nature and regularities in the world which
are manifestations of the application of mathematics;
(2) Articulate the importance of mathematics in one’s life
through its everyday uses;
(3) Appreciate the usefulness of mathematics to humanity; and
(4) Cite relevant application of mathematics to humanity and in
our world.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Pattern:

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Pattern:
(1) a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or
happens;

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Pattern:
(1) a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or
happens;
(2) any regularly repeated arrangement, especially a design
made from repeated lines, shapes, or colours on a surface
(Cambridge Dictionary)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Pattern:
(1) a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or
happens;
(2) any regularly repeated arrangement, especially a design
made from repeated lines, shapes, or colours on a surface
(Cambridge Dictionary)

In (1) and (2), there are two important elements: (a) repetition
or doing the same task; (b) design/arrangement/rule, which is
to be repeated.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example (geometric pattern):

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example (geometric pattern):

Figure: The figure on the left is a particular design such that if

repeated in vertically and horizontally would result to the figure on the
right.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example (Numerical pattern):

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example (Numerical pattern):

Determine the number that comes next.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example (Numerical pattern):

Determine the number that comes next.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Symmetry is the quality of having parts on either side or half

that match each other, esp. in an attractive way, or are the
same size or shape (Cambridge Dictionary).

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example

Figure: Example of Symmetry. (”Symmetry”, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example

Figure: Example of symmetry in architecture - Taj Mahal. (Vinayaraj,

2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Studying patterns helps us identify shared properties or

relationships and find logical connections; in the end, it helps
us make generalizations and make predictions.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

According to Ian Stewart in his book Nature’s Numbers:

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

According to Ian Stewart in his book Nature’s Numbers:

“Human mind and culture have developed a formal system of
thought for recognizing, classifying, and exploiting patterns. We
call it mathematics. By using mathematics to organize and
systematize our ideas about patterns, we have discovered a
great secret: nature’s patterns are not just there to be admired,
they are vital clues to the rules that govern natural processes.”

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

We will start exploring the nature of mathematics up to different

ways mathematics is applied in the modern world. But first, we
begin with exploring patterns found in nature.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: Waves and dunes are clues to the rules that govern the flow
of water, sand, and air. (Waves and Dunes, 2021)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: The tiger’s stripes and the hyena’s spots attest to

mathematical regularities in biological growth and form. (Tigers and
Hyenas, 2020)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: Shells form spirals. (Shell’s Spirals, 2012)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

The simplest mathematical objects are numbers, and the

simplest of nature’s patterns are numerical.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

The simplest mathematical objects are numbers, and the

simplest of nature’s patterns are numerical.

Figure: People have two legs, cats have four, insects have six, and
spiders have eight. (Animal Numerical Pattern, 2021)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: Viruses assume regular geometric shapes, the most striking

being that of an icosahedron - a regular solid formed from twenty
equilateral triangles. (Icosahedral Virus Capsid, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

A very curious pattern indeed occurs in the petals of flowers. In

nearly all flowers, the number of petals is one of the numbers
that occur in the strange sequence 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55,
89. For instance, Mai makhaa flowers have 1 petal, Euphobia
flowers have 2 petals, triliums have 3, redleaf roses have 5,
daisy flowers have 8, etc.

Figure: This pattern in the petals of flowers was noticed many

centuries ago and has been widely studied ever since. (Petals of
Flowers, 2019)
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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

• In addition to numerical patterns, there are geometric ones.

The main shapes, which can be found in nature, that appealed
to mathematicians were very simple ones: triangles, squares,
pentagons, hexagons, circles, ellipses, spirals, cubes, spheres,
cones, and so on.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

• In addition to numerical patterns, there are geometric ones.

The main shapes, which can be found in nature, that appealed
to mathematicians were very simple ones: triangles, squares,
pentagons, hexagons, circles, ellipses, spirals, cubes, spheres,
cones, and so on.
• The rainbow, for example, is a collection of circles, one for
each color. We don’t normally see the entire circle, just an arc;
but rainbows seen from the air can be complete circles.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

• In addition to numerical patterns, there are geometric ones.

The main shapes, which can be found in nature, that appealed
to mathematicians were very simple ones: triangles, squares,
pentagons, hexagons, circles, ellipses, spirals, cubes, spheres,
cones, and so on.
• The rainbow, for example, is a collection of circles, one for
each color. We don’t normally see the entire circle, just an arc;
but rainbows seen from the air can be complete circles.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercise 1

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercise 1
(1) In the given item below, what number must replace the
question mark?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercise 1
(1) In the given item below, what number must replace the
question mark?
Given: 0,1,2,4,6,9,12,?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercise 1
(1) In the given item below, what number must replace the
question mark?
Given: 0,1,2,4,6,9,12,?

(2) What number must replace the question mark?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercise 1
(1) In the given item below, what number must replace the
question mark?
Given: 0,1,2,4,6,9,12,?

(2) What number must replace the question mark?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercises (continuation)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Exercises (continuation)
(3) Identify the missing section.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

With the development of new mathematical theories, these

nature’s patterns are beginning to reveal their secrets and
hence, we are seeing a practical impact as well as an
intellectual one.

Figure: A process known as mathematical modelling is an

indispensable technique in mathematical applications.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Our new-found understanding of nature’s secret regularities is

being used to steer artificial satellites to new destinations with
far less fuel than anybody had thought possible, to help avoid
wear on the wheels of locomotives and other rolling stock, to
improve the effectiveness of heart pacemakers, to make
weather predictions, to manage forests and fisheries, even to
make more efficient dishwashers.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Mathematics for Prediction

Figure: Because of mathematics, meteorologists can make effective

short-term predictions of weather patterns - say, three or four days in
advance.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Mathematics for Organization and Industries

Figure: Mathematics is used for modelling aircraft wing design.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Mathematics for Organization and Industries

Figure: Airline Scheduling involves mathematics of schedule

optimisation using graph theory and operations research.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

For some applications, you can watch the videos (link given
below) at this YouTube Channel Australian Mathematical
Sciences Institute - Math Delivers Playlist.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

For some applications, you can watch the videos (link given
below) at this YouTube Channel Australian Mathematical
Sciences Institute - Math Delivers Playlist.

<<<Click here>>>

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Mathematics definitely is a useful way to think about nature. We

want to understand how they happen; to understand why they
happen, which is different; to organize the underlying patterns
and regularities in the most satisfying way; to predict how
nature will behave; to control nature for our own ends; and to
make practical use of what we have learned about our world.
Mathematics helps us to do all these things, and often it is
indispensable.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Please watch the following videos (just click the title below):

(1) YouTube Title: 4. Calculus: One of the Most Successful

Technologies, YouTube Channel: Stanford
Time stamp: 0:00-12:00 min

Optional:
(2) YouTube Title: The world is poorly designed. But copying
nature helps, Youtube Channel: Vox

(3) YouTube Title: Can One Mathematical Model Explain All

Patterns In Nature?, YouTube Channel: Seeker

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers, call terms, that may
have repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is set
by a definite rule.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers, call terms, that may
have repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is set
by a definite rule.

Example: 2,5,7,15,12,45,17,135,...

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
In mathematics, we use symbols to denote any sequence of
numbers in general:

x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , ..., xn , ...

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
In mathematics, we use symbols to denote any sequence of
numbers in general:

x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , ..., xn , ...

• The first term of the sequence is x1 . The subscript 1, as

indicated by 1, tells us that this is the first member of the
sequence.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
In mathematics, we use symbols to denote any sequence of
numbers in general:

x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , ..., xn , ...

• The first term of the sequence is x1 . The subscript 1, as

indicated by 1, tells us that this is the first member of the
sequence.
• The second term of the sequence is x2 . The subscript 2, as
indicated by 2, tells us that this is the second member of the
sequence.

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 31 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
In mathematics, we use symbols to denote any sequence of
numbers in general:

x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , ..., xn , ...

• The first term of the sequence is x1 . The subscript 1, as

indicated by 1, tells us that this is the first member of the
sequence.
• The second term of the sequence is x2 . The subscript 2, as
indicated by 2, tells us that this is the second member of the
sequence.
• To refer to any number/member of the sequence, we use
xn . The subscript n, as indicated by n, tells us that this is the nth
member of the sequence.

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 31 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Sequence
In mathematics, we use symbols to denote any sequence of
numbers in general:

x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , ..., xn , ...

• The first term of the sequence is x1 . The subscript 1, as

indicated by 1, tells us that this is the first member of the
sequence.
• The second term of the sequence is x2 . The subscript 2, as
indicated by 2, tells us that this is the second member of the
sequence.
• To refer to any number/member of the sequence, we use
xn . The subscript n, as indicated by n, tells us that this is the nth
member of the sequence.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example
Given a sequence: 2, 5, 9, 14, 20,..., assume we use the same
set of symbols for a given sequence.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example
Given a sequence: 2, 5, 9, 14, 20,..., assume we use the same
set of symbols for a given sequence.
(a) What is x1 ? x3 ? and x4 ?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example
Given a sequence: 2, 5, 9, 14, 20,..., assume we use the same
set of symbols for a given sequence.
(a) What is x1 ? x3 ? and x4 ?
(b) What is x6 and x7 ?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example
Given a sequence: 2, 5, 9, 14, 20,..., assume we use the same
set of symbols for a given sequence.
(a) What is x1 ? x3 ? and x4 ?
(b) What is x6 and x7 ?
(c) If xn denotes the nth member of the sequence, what symbol
can we use for the member/number prior to the nth member of
the sequence?

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 32 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Example
Given a sequence: 2, 5, 9, 14, 20,..., assume we use the same
set of symbols for a given sequence.
(a) What is x1 ? x3 ? and x4 ?
(b) What is x6 and x7 ?
(c) If xn denotes the nth member of the sequence, what symbol
can we use for the member/number prior to the nth member of
the sequence?
(d) How about the next member after the nth ?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Let us recall that the pattern 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89

occurs in the petals of flowers. This particular pattern was
noticed many centuries ago and has been widely studied ever
since. These are just some numbers of the Fibonacci
sequence:

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Let us recall that the pattern 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89

occurs in the petals of flowers. This particular pattern was
noticed many centuries ago and has been widely studied ever
since. These are just some numbers of the Fibonacci
sequence:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ...

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

For the Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,..., we can

use Fn to denote an nth member of the sequence.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

For the Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,..., we can

use Fn to denote an nth member of the sequence.
(a) What is F1 ? F2 ? and F4 ?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

For the Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,..., we can

use Fn to denote an nth member of the sequence.
(a) What is F1 ? F2 ? and F4 ?
(b) What is F11 and F12 ?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1
(a) 1 = 1.0000

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1
(a) 1 = 1.0000
2
(b) 1 = 2.0000

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1
(a) 1 = 1.0000
2
(b) 1 = 2.0000
3
(c) 2 = 1.5000

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1
(a) 1 = 1.0000
2
(b) 1 = 2.0000
3
(c) 2 = 1.5000
5
(d) 3 = 1.6667

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1
(a) 1 = 1.0000
2
(b) 1 = 2.0000
3
(c) 2 = 1.5000
5
(d) 3 = 1.6667
8
(e) 5 = 1.6000

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2
(b) 1 = 2.0000
3
(c) 2 = 1.5000
5
(d) 3 = 1.6667
8
(e) 5 = 1.6000

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2 21
(b) 1 = 2.0000 (g) 13 = 1.6154
3
(c) 2 = 1.5000
5
(d) 3 = 1.6667
8
(e) 5 = 1.6000

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2 21
(b) 1 = 2.0000 (g) 13 = 1.6154
3 34
(c) 2 = 1.5000 (h) 21 = 1.6190
5
(d) 3 = 1.6667
8
(e) 5 = 1.6000

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2 21
(b) 1 = 2.0000 (g) 13 = 1.6154
3 34
(c) 2 = 1.5000 (h) 21 = 1.6190
5 55
(d) 3 = 1.6667 (i) 34 = 1.6177
8
(e) 5 = 1.6000

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2 21
(b) 1 = 2.0000 (g) 13 = 1.6154
3 34
(c) 2 = 1.5000 (h) 21 = 1.6190
5 55
(d) 3 = 1.6667 (i) 34 = 1.6177
8 89
(e) 5 = 1.6000 (j) 55 = 1.6182

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 35 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

An interesting pattern also emerge for Fibonacci sequence:

1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,... If we compute the ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of ratios
approach a certain constant, called the Golden ratio.

1 13
(a) 1 = 1.0000 (f) 8 = 1.6250
2 21
(b) 1 = 2.0000 (g) 13 = 1.6154
3 34
(c) 2 = 1.5000 (h) 21 = 1.6190
5 55
(d) 3 = 1.6667 (i) 34 = 1.6177
8 89
(e) 5 = 1.6000 (j) 55 = 1.6182
Fn+1
To compute the ratio: Fn

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

The sequence appeared in the book Liber Abaci (1202) by the

Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa or Fibonacci
(c.1170-1250). In the book, he posed the rabbit problem, which
goes as follows: At the beginning of a month, you are given a
pair of newborn rabbits. After a month the rabbits have
produced no offspring; however, every month thereafter, the
pair of rabbits produces another pair of rabbits. The offspring
reproduce in exactly the same manner. If none of the rabbits
dies, how many pairs of rabbits will there be at the start of each
succeeding month?

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: Rabbit population. (Fibonacci sequence - Rabbit Tree, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci Numbers in nature

Figure: Yellow chamomile head showing the arrangement in 21 (blue)

and 13 (aqua) spirals. (Yellow chamomile, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci Numbers in nature

Figure: On a typical sunflower head you would find 34 spirals in one

direction and 55 in the other. (Haβ, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

• In 1843, Binet derived a formula for calculating the nth term

of the Fibonacci sequence,

ϕn − ψ n
Fn = √ ,
5
√
1+ 5
where ϕ = 2 (also known as the golden ratio) and
√
1− 5
ψ= 2 .
• Note that two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is
the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two
quantities.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: The Golden Ratio or Golden Rectangle can be illustrated by

the relationship a+b a
a = b ≡ ϕ.

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Figure: A golden rectangle with longer side a and shorter side b,

when placed adjacent to a square with sides of length a, will produce
a similar golden rectangle with longer side a + b and shorter side a.
(Golden Rectangle, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

Some applications outside the realm of Mathematics

• Applications of Fibonacci numbers include computer
algorithms such as the Fibonacci search technique and the
Fibonacci heap data structure, and graphs called Fibonacci
cubes used for interconnecting parallel and distributed systems.
([Link], 2019)
• One of the main applications of Fibonacci numbers is in the
area of stock market analysis. Many investors use what is
called the Fibonacci Retracement Technique to estimate the
action that the price of a particular stock will take, based on
certain ratios found within the Fibonacci numbers. (Bortner and
Peterson, 2019)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

1. For additional reading about history and applications of

Fibonacci Numbers:
The History and Applications of Fibonacci Numbers by CW
Bortner

2. Please watch the video (just click the title below):

YouTube Title: 2. The Golden Ratio & Fibonacci Numbers: Fact
versus Fiction, Youtube Channel: Stanford (Stanford University
YT Channel)

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 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

References:
Simple black and white geometric pattern. (2019). [image]
Available at:
[Link]
[Link]/attachment/simple-black-and-
white-geometric-patterns-world-of-example-for-simple-
black-and-white-geometric-patterns [Accessed 30 Jul.
2019].
Waves and Dunes. (2021). [image] Available at:
¡[Link] ce-
jones/GeoImages/5SedimentaryRocks/SedStructures/Ripples/Mo
[Accessed 5 September 2021].
Tigers and Hyenas. (2020). [image] Available at:
¡[Link]
[Accessed 5 September 2021].

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 45 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

References:
Shell’s Spirals. (2012). [image] Available at:
¡[Link]
mollusk-golden-ratio [Link]¿ [Accessed 5
September 2021].
Animal Numerical Pattern. (2021). [image] Available at:
¡[Link]
and-number-of-legs¿ [Accessed 5 September
2021].
Icosahedral Virus Capsid. (2019). [image] Available at:
¡[Link]
[Link]¿ [Accessed 5
September 2021].
Petals of Flowers. (2019). [image] Available at:
¡[Link]
[Link]¿ [Accessed 5
September 2021].
Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 46 / 49
 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

References:
Fibonacci sequence - Rabbit Tree. (2019). [image]
Available at:
[Link]
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Yellow chamomile. (2019). [image] Available at:
[Link] number#/media/File:Fibon
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Haβ, H. (2019). Sunflower Head. [video] Available at:
[Link]
[Link] [Accessed 31 Jul.
2019].
Golden Rectangle. (2019). [image] Available at:
[Link] ratio [Accessed 31 Jul.
2019].
Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 47 / 49
 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

References:
[Link]. (2019). Fibonacci number. [online]
Available at:
[Link] number [Accessed
31 Jul. 2019].
Bortner, C. and Peterson, A. (2019). [online]
[Link]. Available at:
[Link]
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Nautilus shell spiral compared to a Golden Spiral. (2019).
[image] Available at: [Link]
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].

Nature of Mathematics: Mathematics in our World 48 / 49

 Patterns in Nature
Mathematics and its Applications
Fibonacci Sequence

References:
Anon, (2019). [image] Available at:
[Link] [Accessed 7
Aug. 2019].
Aufmann, R. et al. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern
World. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Aufmann, R. (2006). Mathematical Excursions. Houghton
Mifflin College Div.

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