BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

MMW 101
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
 Module 3
The Golden Ratio
“Seeing a New Yet the Same
World Through Mathematics”

The Golden Ratio

Objectives of the Module

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. identify the presence of the Golden Ratio in nature, architecture, and artworks
and the human body
2. enumerate the practical application of this concept in your life

The symbol of the golden ratio is the Greek letter "phi" – Ф (uppercase letter)
or φ (lowercase letter). It is named after the Greek sculptor Phidias. It is an irrational
number approximately equal to 1.618. The Golden Ratio is also equal to φ =
√��+��

��and φ = ��(������ ����°).1

The Golden Ratio is also known as Divine Ratio or Divine

Proportion. 1 The Golden Ratio Derived from the Fibonacci Sequence

There are ways to derive the approximate value of the Golden Ratio, such as
 1. by using the golden sections, a and b of a line segment where

and is considered as the golden ratio.

2. from the so-called "continued fraction."

Note: You are encouraged to research the complete derivation of the Golden
Ratio from the ways mentioned above.

Surprisingly, there is an easier way to derive the value of the Golden Ratio by
using the Fibonacci sequence. Let us consider the first eleven (11) numbers in the
sequence.

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

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

1
"Mammalian Skull Dimensions and the Golden Ratio (Φ ...."
https://journals.lww.com/jcraniofacialsurgery/fulltext/2019/09000/mammalian_skull_dimensions_and_the_golde
n _ratio.34.aspx. Accessed 6 Aug. 2020.
1

Then find the ratio of the next number and the preceding as shown in the

table.

Ratio Quotient

2���� 1 1
1���� 1

3���� 2 2
2���� 1

4��ℎ 5 1.5
3���� 3

5��ℎ 8 1.666666…
4��ℎ 5

6��ℎ 13 1.6
5��ℎ 8
 7��ℎ 21 1.625
6��ℎ 13

8��ℎ 34 1.61538462
7��ℎ 21

9��ℎ 55 1.61764706
10��ℎ 34

11��ℎ 89 1.6181818…
10��ℎ 55

...

You will notice that the bigger Fibonacci numbers you use as a ratio, the closer
you get to the approximate value of φ (1.61803398874989484820...).

Continue the table using up to the 25th number in the sequence.

2 Application

Many artists and architects apply the Golden Ratio in their artworks and
creative designs, believing that their works would be more pleasing and beautiful.

2.1 The Golden Spiral

The Fibonacci spiral, as

mentioned in the
previous lesson, is constructed using the
numbers in
the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci
spiral is also
known as the Golden Spiral.

Many artists who lived after Phidias have

used the Golden Rectangle and the Golden Ratio
 like Leonardo Da Vinci in his painting "Mona Lisa."

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/0d/70/780d70cee
ad6fd4550b0d5dbe137f157.jpg

2.2 The Golden Rectangle is a rectangle whose sides are in the proportion of
the Golden Ratio. This may be observed in notable architectural structures dating
back to ancient times as well as art.

Temples like the Parthenon in

Greece are believed to have the
Golden Ratio in them.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
RL5ZXm0fPiY/TZ4PKWJcvUI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wJIO2cjskro/s640/parthenon
goldenratio.png

2.3 Proportions of the human body, such as the face, follows the Divine
Proportion. The closer the body parts' proportion is to the Golden Ratio, the more
aesthetic and beautiful the body is.

https://www.deviantart.com/lighthouse-beacon/art/The-Gol https://sriyantraresearch.com/Article/GoldenRatio/face1.jpg
den Ratio-and-Body-Proportions-289022375