SYMMETRY

The concept of symmetry can be defined as a transformation of

a mathematical structure, of a specified kind, that leaves specified
properties of the structure unchanged. However, because a
complete definition appears elusive, it is best explained through
examples: wheels display circular symmetry; the shape of a
rainbow is due to the rotational symmetry of refraction in rain
droplets; and waves display a variety of symmetries. (Stewart, 2013)
SYMMETRY
THREE MAIN TYPES OF SYMMETRY

a. Translation
Translational symmetry results from moving a figure a
certain distance in a certain direction also called translating
(moving) by a vector (length and direction)
SYMMETRY
THREE MAIN TYPES OF SYMMETRY

b. Reflection
Reflection symmetry is also known as line symmetry or
mirror symmetry. In reflection symmetry, there exists at least one line
that divides a figure into two halves such that one-half is the mirror
image of the other half.
SYMMETRY
THREE MAIN TYPES OF SYMMETRY

c. Rotation
Rotational symmetry, also known as radial symmetry, is
the property a shape has when it looks the same after
some rotation by a partial turn.
 SPIRALS
In mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a
point, moving farther away as it revolves around the point.
 FRACTALS
a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same
statistical character as the whole. Fractals are useful in modeling
structures (such as eroded coastlines or snowflakes) in which similar
patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, and in describing
partly random or chaotic phenomena such as crystal growth, fluid
turbulence, and galaxy formation
THE GOLDEN PROPORTION
(A.K.A. THE GOLDEN RATIO)
THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE
THE GOLDEN SPIRAL
THE GOLDEN SPIRAL
Some of Da Vinci’s works where the concept of
golden ratio has been observed
Some of Da Vinci’s works where the concept of
golden ratio has been observed
 Aside from Da Vinci, there are a lot of artists that
intentionally used the concept of golden ratio

MICHAELANGELO
BOTTICELLI
 Aside from Da Vinci, there are a lot of artists that
intentionally used the concept of golden ratio

NOTRE DAME CHURCH IN PARIS EIFFEL TOWER

 Aside from Da Vinci, there are a lot of artists that
intentionally used the concept of golden ratio

TAJ MAHAL PYRAMID OF GIZA

 The Golden Ratio in Human Body
1. The height of a person and the distance between the ground and
belly button
2. Distance from the top of the head to shoulder and top of the head
to the chin
3. Distance from fingertips to elbow and wrist to elbow
4. Distance from top of the head to belly button and top of the head to
shoulder
5. Distance from belly button to knee and knee to toes
6. Length and width of the face
7. Width of the two upper front teeth and their height
8. Distance from lips to center point of eyebrows and length of nose
9. Distance between two pupils and distance between eyebrows
10. Width of the lips and width of the nose
 Start with a male and a
female rabbit. After a
month, they mature and
produce a litter with
ANSWER: another male and female
233 pairs rabbit. A month later, those
rabbits reproduce and out
comes — you guessed it —
another male and female,
who also can mate after a
month. (Ignore the wildly
improbable biology here.)
After a year, how many
pairs of rabbits would you
have?
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, …

I think I know this sequence.

In one of my books perhaps?

Leonardo Pisano (ca. 1170 – 1250)

(A.K.A. Leonardo of Pisa)
Son of Bonacci (Fibonacci)
 That is from your book
Liber Abaci.
That sequence is called the
FIBONACCI SEQUENCE,
named after you sir!

Edouard Lucas (1842 – 1871)

Paris, France
 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
AND NATURE

Number of spirals in a Number of spirals in a

sunflower pinecone
 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
AND NATURE

Number of a flower’s petals

 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
AND NATURE

Number of a flower’s petals

 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
AND NATURE

Number of tree branches per section

 FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
AND THE GOLDEN RATIO

RECAP:

The Golden Ratio is considered as nature’s

“perfect” ratio and is denoted by Φ (Phi), equal to
1.61083…

The first few terms of the Fibonacci Sequence are as

follows:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, …

 HOW IS FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
RELATED WITH GOLDEN RATIO?

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, …

Let’s take any consecutive term in the sequence and

divide the leading term by the preceding term.

1 3 8 55
=1 = 1.5 = 1.6 = 1.61764
1 2 5 34

2 5 13 89
=2 = 1.66 … = 1.625 = 1.61818
1 3 8 55
 HOW IS FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
RELATED WITH GOLDEN RATIO?

The ratio between any two successive terms in the

fibonacci sequence appears to approach the
golden ratio.
(especially for larger numbers in the sequence)

This is why Fibonacci numbers/terms are considered

as “Nature’s Special Numbers” because these are the
numbers followed by different occurrences in nature.
 “Nature seeks the most chaos.
From this chaos, comes amazing order.”