LESSON 1: MATHEMATICS IN NATURE

Learning Materials

Lesson Objectives
a. Identify Fibonacci Sequence in Nature.
b. Determine the nth term of a Fibonacci Sequence.
c. Use Golden ratio in appreciating mathematics in human anatomy and in
photography

INTRODUCTION:
Nothing can beat the beauty of nature. Finding mathematics in nature at first glance
may seem less obvious. However, if one does take time to examine the nature, then one
can describe its beauty mathematically.

Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci Sequence is the series of numbers:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, ...
The next number is found by adding up the two numbers before it
When we make squares with those widths, we get a nice spiral.

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Math 100: Mathematics in the Modern World | Lesson 2 Page 1 of 3
 Another simple example in which it is possible to find the Fibonacci sequence in
nature is given by the number of petals of flowers. Most have three (like lilies and
irises), five (parnassia, rose hips) or eight (cosmea), 13 (some daisies), 21
(chicory), 34, 55 or 89 (asteraceae). These numbers are part of the famous
Fibonacci sequence described in the previous paragraph.

The Rule
The Fibonacci Sequence can be written as a "Rule"
First, the terms are numbered from 0 onwards like this:
TERM NUMBER (n) 0 1 2 3 4 5
TERM (Fn) 0 1 1 2 3 5

So term number 4 is called F4 (which equals 3).

How to solve the 9th Term?

So we can write the rule:

Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2
Fn = Fibonacci Number
Fn−1 = The Previous Term
Fn−2 = The term before that (n−2)

Example: term 9 is calculated like this:

Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2
F9 = F9−1 + F9−2
= F8 + F7
= 21 + 13
= 34

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Math 100: Mathematics in the Modern World | Lesson 2 Page 2 of 3
How about the 19th term? It may take an hour or more to find it. However, one may
calculate the Fibonacci number

Using The Golden Ratio to Calculate Fibonacci Numbers

 The Golden Ratio is a special number which is approximately equal (≈) to
1.618034
 To find the Fibonacci number, use the Binet’s Formula. The symbol “n” stands for
the term number.

19th term of the Fibonacci Sequence

Given: n = 19

𝑛 𝑛
(1+√5
2
) −(1−√5
2
)
F𝑛 =
√5

=( ) =( )
1+√5 1−√5
. .
2 2
(1.618)19 −(−0.618)19
F19 =
=( ) =( )
1+2.236 1−2.236 2.236
2 2 . .

=( ) =( )
3.236 −1.236
9,345.2695−(−0.0001)
2 2 F19 =
2.236

=1.618 = -0.618 . .
9,345.2695+0.0001
F19 =
2.236
. .
Where: F19 =
9,345.2696
2.236

. .
(1+√5
2
) = 1.618
9,345.2696
F19 =
2.236

(1−√5
2
) = 0.618 F19 = 4,179.4587 ≈4,181

√5 = 2.236 F19 = 4,181

𝜑 = 1.618

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