Lesson 2.

The Fibonacci Sequence

The Fibonacci Sequence is a series of numbers in which the next term is
produced by adding the two previous numbers. Starting with 1, the sequence is
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on.
The Fibonacci sequence was introduced by Fibonacci or also known as Leonardo
of Pisa in 1202 in his work Liber abaci. He introduced it by posing the following
question:
“If a pair of rabbits is placed in an enclosed area, how many rabbits will
be born there if we assume that every month a pair of rabbits produces another
pair and that rabbits begin to bear young two months after their birth?”
To answer the question, we may use the diagram shown below:

Fibonacci assumed that an initial pair of rabbits matured in the first month.
In the second month, the matured pairs gave birth to a new pair of rabbits every
after one month, and the new pair behave similarly. Thus, counting the number
of rabbits in each month will give us the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on.
Let,
𝑓1 = 1, 𝑓2 = 1, 𝑓3 = 2, 𝑓4 = 3, …
the 𝑛𝑡ℎ element of the sequence is given by
𝑓𝑛 = 𝑓𝑛−1 + 𝑓𝑛−2 if 𝑛 > 2,
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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS
 that is if you are given the two preceding terms 𝑓𝑛−1 and 𝑓𝑛−2 .
If not, we use the following formula called the Binet’s formula for 𝑓𝑛 :
𝑛 𝑛
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝑓𝑛 = .
√5
Example:
1. The first element of the sequence, 𝑓1 is
1 1
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝑓1 =
√5
(1 + √5) − (1 − √5)
= 2
√5
2√5
√5
= 2 = =1
√5 √5
2. The 23rd element of the sequence, 𝑓23 is
23 23
1 + √5 1 − √5
( 2 ) −( 2 )
𝑓1 =
√5
64,079.00003
= = 28,657
√5

Fibonacci would not have ever imagined how this sequence turned out to
be the most fascinating sequence ever introduced. It is said to be the most
fascinating sequence because of its surprising appearance in nature and arts.
The Fibonacci number arises naturally in plants. One example is the
number of petals of flowers. Lili has three petals, buttercups have five, chicory
has 21, and daisy has often 34 or 55 petals.
Furthermore, if you observe the head of a sunflower, you will notice two
series of curves, one follows a clockwise and the other follows a counter-
clockwise direction. Counting these spirals, you will either have 34 and 55, 55 and
89, or 89 and 144. All of the numbers are paired with consecutive Fibonacci
numbers.

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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS
It does not only apply to sunflowers but also pineapples, pinecones, and daisies.

One pattern arising from the Fibonacci sequence is the Fibonacci Spiral.

The Fibonacci Spiral is a series of connected quarter-circles drawn inside an array

of squares with Fibonacci numbers for dimensions.
To illustrate the Fibonacci spiral, follow the following steps:
1. Draw a 1 x 1unit square.
2. On one of its sides, draw another square having the same dimension.
3. Draw another square using a combined side of the two previous squares.
This means that the third square will have a dimension of 3 x 3 units.
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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS
 4. The next square will be drawn using the combined sides of the three
previous squares.
5. The sides of the subsequent squares will be based on the side of the
previously formed shape and will be positioned following a spiral direction.

The Fibonacci spiral can also be seen in nature such as the Nautilus Shell, Galaxy,
spiral Aloe, and typhoons, as illustrated in the following images:

Golden Ratio
One of the most wonderful numbers, though not as familiar as the number
Pi (𝜋), is the number Phi(𝜙). It is manifested in a lot of places, such as in nature
and art. The number Phi can be found by solving the solution for the quadratic
equation
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0.

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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS
The solutions are
1+√5
𝑥= ≈ 1.6180 and 𝑥 = −0.6180.
2

The first solution, 𝑥 = 1.618 … is the value of Phi and is known as the
Golden ratio or the golden mean or the divine proportion. Thus,
𝜙 = 1.6180
The golden ratio can be illustrated using a rectangle as shown below.

1 unit

1.618 units

The term “Divine proportion” was first used by Leonardo da Vinci and has
used the value of Phi in his numerous works of art like The Last Supper, Mona
Lisa, and The Vitruvian Man.

The Last Supper with the embedded golden ratio

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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS
 The Mona Lisa The Vitruvian Man

The golden ratio is also associated with the Fibonacci sequence (and
Fibonacci spiral) since the ratio of each pair of consecutive Fibonacci numbers is
going close to Phi as we go further in the sequence.

𝑛 𝑓𝑛 𝑓𝑛+1 /𝑓𝑛
1 1
2 1 1
3 2 2
4 3 1.5
5 5 1.667
6 8 1.6
7 13 1.625
8 21 1.6154
9 34 1.619
10 55 1.6176
11 89 1.61818
12 144 1.61797
*You can use a spreadsheet to continue the process.

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GECC 103a-Mathematics in the Modern World, MODULE I – MATHEMATICS IN NATURE AND ARTS