Nature 02 New

CHAPTE
1
Nature of
Mathematics
Introduction
In this section, we consider one of the most beautiful ideas

in the mathematical world that came out during the
medieval period.
It was that 13th century Italian mathematician, named

Leonardo of Pisa (better known as Fibonacci), who
discovered a sequence of numbers that reflect various
patterns found in nature.
2
The Fibonacci Sequence
Fibonacci’s Rabbit Problem
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?
4
Fibonacci’s Rabbit Problem
5
Fibonacci Sequence
The table below shows the first 10 terms of the Fibonacci
sequence.
6
Recursive Definition of the Fibonacci Number
Example 1.
Use the definition of Fibonacci numbers to find the 11th
Fibonacci number.
Try it Now 1
Find the 24th Fibonacci number given that the 25th
Fibonacci number is 75,025 and the 23rd Fibonacci number
is 28,657.
7
A Nonrecursive Formula for the nth Fibonacci number
Many mathematicians tried to find a nonrecursive nth-term

formula for the Fibonacci sequence without success, until a
formula was discovered by Jacques Binet in 1843.
Example 2.
Use Binet’s formula and a calculator to find the 30th
Fibonacci number.
8
A Nonrecursive Formula for the nth Fibonacci number
 Try it Now 2
Find the 41st Fibonacci number using the Binet’s formula
and a calculator.
9
Fibonacci Numbers in Nature
Fibonacci numbers appear in nature often enough to prove
that they reflect some naturally occurring patterns. You can
commonly spot these by studying the way in which various
plants grow.
10
The Sunflower …Fibonacci numbers in nature
When we pay
attention to the
arrangement of seeds
in its head, we can
notice that they form
spirals. In various
species, you can count
the number of spirals
(in a clockwise and
counterclockwise
respectively) to be 34
and 55, or 55 and 89,
or 89 and 144. The
numbers 21, 34, 55, 89 and 144 are the eight to twelfth numbers in
the Fibonacci sequence. This arrangement keeps the seeds
uniformly packed regardless of how large the seed is.
11
Petals on Flowers …Fibonacci numbers in nature
If you count the number of petals on a flower, you'll often find the total to be one of
the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. For example, lilies and irises have three
petals, buttercups and wild roses have five, delphiniums have eight petals and so
on. 12
Florets, Cones, Leaves, … …Fibonacci numbers in nature
Fibonacci sequence can also be observed in cauliflower florets,

spirals in pine cones, in the alignment of leaves, shoots and twigs,
and the bands winding around pineapples, and many other
examples around us. 13
Human Body …Fibonacci numbers in nature
You can even observe Fibonacci sequence in the human

body. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. You'll notice that
most of your body parts follow the numbers one, two, three and five.
You have one nose, two eyes, three segments to each limb and five
fingers on each hand.
14
The Golden Ratio
15
The Golden Ratio cont’d
This ratio, considered as the most aesthetically proportion, is

visible in many works of art and architecture such as in the
Mona Lisa, The Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Parthenon.
Remark: One can derive the value of the golden ratio by using the identity
(Try this!) 16
Golden Rectangle with the golden spiral
17
The Snail’s Shell and the Golden Ratio
The snail’s shell is another example of how nature follow a

certain set of rules governed by mathematics.
18
Mona Lisa and the Golden Ratio
19
The Parthenon and the Golden Ratio
20
21
22
23
Fibonacci Sequence and
The Golden Ratio
24
Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Ratio
25
Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Ratio
26
More Examples
• Honeybees: The ratio of female bees to the male bees in

any given hive is approximately equal to 1.618.
• Sunflowers: The number of seeds in the opposing spirals of
seeds, have a 1.618 ratio between the diameters of each
rotation.
• The ratio of the distance from your shoulder to your
fingertips to the length from your elbow to your fingertips is
equal to the golden ratio.
• The ratio of the distance from your head to your feet, to the
length from your belly button to your feet is equal to the
golden ratio.
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Exercise 1.2
34
Exercise 1.2
35
Exercise 1.2
36

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CHAPTE

In this section, we consider one of the most beautiful ideas

It was that 13th century Italian mathematician, named

At the beginning of a month, you are given a pair of

Many mathematicians tried to find a nonrecursive nth-term

Fibonacci sequence can also be observed in cauliflower florets,

You can even observe Fibonacci sequence in the human

This ratio, considered as the most aesthetically proportion, is

The snail’s shell is another example of how nature follow a

• Honeybees: The ratio of female bees to the male bees in

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