# The Golden Ratio

(Difference between revisions)
 Revision as of 09:48, 9 July 2012 (edit)← Previous diff Current revision (03:00, 12 December 2012) (edit) (undo) (6 intermediate revisions not shown.) Line 1: Line 1: {{Image Description Ready {{Image Description Ready |ImageName=The Golden Ratio |ImageName=The Golden Ratio - |Image=Goldenratioapplet1.jpg + |Image=Goldenratio.jpg - |ImageIntro=The '''golden number,''' often denoted by lowercase Greek letter "phi", is
${\varphi}=\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} = 1.61803399.... + |ImageIntro=The '''golden number,''' often denoted by lowercase Greek letter "phi", is - The term '''golden ratio''' refers to any ratio which has the value phi. The image to the right is a warped representation of dividing and subdividing a rectangle into the golden ratio. The result is [[Field:Fractals|fractal-like]]. This page explores real world applications for the golden ratio, common misconceptions about the golden ratio, and multiple derivations of the golden number. + :[itex] \frac{a+b}{a} = \frac{a}{b} \equiv \varphi,$ - |ImageDescElem=The golden number, approximately 1.618, is called golden because many geometric figures involving this ratio are often said to possess special beauty. Be that true or not, the ratio has many beautiful and surprising mathematical properties. The Greeks were aware of the golden ratio, but did not consider it particularly significant with respect to aesthetics. It was not called the "divine" proportion until the 15th century, and was not called "golden" ratio until the 18th century. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio "Golden ratio"], Retrieved on 20 June 2012. + where the Greek letter [[Phi (letter)|phi]] (\varphi) represents the golden ratio. Its value is: -
+ - Since then, it has been claimed that the golden ratio is the most aesthetically pleasing ratio, and claimed that this ratio has appeared in architecture and art throughout history. Among the most common such claims are that the Parthenon and Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa use the golden ratio. Even more esoteric claims propose that the golden ratio can be found in the human facial structure, the behavior of the stock market, and the Great Pyramids.
+ - However, such claims have been criticized in scholarly journals as wishful thinking or sloppy mathematical analysis. Additionally, there is no solid evidence that supports the claim that the golden rectangle is the most aesthetically pleasing rectangle.[http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/teaching/maa/markowsky.pdf "Misconceptions about the Golden Ratio"], Retrieved on 24 June 2012. + + ${\varphi}=\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} = 1.61803399...$.
+ 1/1=1.000000
+ 2/1=2.000000
+ 3/2=1.500000
+ 5/3=1.666666
+ 8/5=1.600000
+ 13/8=1.625000
+ 21/13=1.615385
+ 34/21=1.619048
+ 55/34=1.617647
+ 89/55=1.618182
+ 144/89=1.717978
+ 233/144=1.618056
+ 377/233=1.618026
+ 610/377=1.618037
+ 987/610=1.618033
- ==A Geometric Representation== - ===The Golden Ratio in a Line Segment=== + ==The Golden Ratio in Nature== - [[Image:Golden_segment.jpg|400px]][[Image:Animation2.gif]] + - + ===Spirals & Phyllotaxis=== - The golden number can be defined using a line segment divided into two sections of lengths ''a'' and ''b''. If ''a'' and ''b'' are appropriately chosen, the ratio of ''a'' to ''b'' is the same as the ratio of ''a'' + ''b'' to ''a'' and both ratios are equal to $\varphi$. The line segment above (left) exhibits the golden proportion. The line segments above (right) are also examples of the golden ratio. In each case, + [[Image:Sunflower head.jpeg|px200]] - $\frac{{\color{Red}\mathrm{red}}+\color{Blue}\mathrm{blue}}{{\color{Blue}\mathrm{blue}} }= \frac{{\color{Blue}\mathrm{blue}} }{{\color{Red}\mathrm{red}} }= \varphi . + Spirals are abundant concerning phyllotaxis, which describes the way leaves are arranged on a plant stem. In 92 percent of Norway spruce cones, the spirals were found to appear in rows five and eight rows. They appeared in rows of four and seven in six percent, and four and six in four percent. In addition, the number of right-handed spirals appears to be equal to the number of left-handed spirals. The arrangements of the spirals in these spruce cones are found as the following pairs of rows: 2/3,3/5,5/8,8/13,13/21,21/34,34/55,55/89, and 89/144. These numbers are all numbers that belong to the Fibonacci Series. + [[Image:Pinecone3.gif]] - + A similar phenomenon can be observed in sunflower heads. A sunflower head has both clockwise and counterclockwise spirals. The numbers of the spirals in a sunflower usually depend on the size of the sunflower. However, the ratios of the spirals that usually occur are 89/55,144/89, and even 233/144. Once again, all of the numbers in these ratios are consecutive Fibonacci numbers. - ===The Golden Rectangle=== + - A '''golden rectangle''' is any rectangle where the ratio between the sides is equal to phi. When the sides lengths are proportioned in the golden ratio, the rectangle is said to possess the '''golden proportions.''' A golden rectangle has sides of length [itex]\varphi \times r and [itex]1 \times r where [itex]r$ can be any constant. Remarkably, when a square with side length equal to the shorter side of the rectangle is cut off from one side of the golden rectangle, the remaining rectangle also exhibits the golden proportions. This continuing pattern is visible in the golden rectangle below. + - :[[Image:Coloredfinalrectangle1.jpg]] + - + |AuthorName=Joyce Han - + - ===Triangles=== + - [[Image:1byrrectangle1.jpg|500px]][[Image:Pentagon_final.jpg|300px]] + - + - The golden number, $\varphi$, is used to construct the '''golden triangle,''' an isoceles triangle that has legs of length $\varphi \times r$ and base length of $1 \times r$ where $r$ can be any constant. It is above and to the left. Similarly, the '''golden gnomon''' has base $\varphi \times r$ and legs of length $1 \times r$. It is shown above and to the right. These triangles can be used to form regular pentagons (pictured above) and pentagrams. + - + - The pentgram below, generated by the golden triangle and the golden gnomon, has many side lengths proportioned in the golden ratio. + - :[[Image:Star1.jpg]] + - :::$\frac{{\color{SkyBlue}\mathrm{blue}} }{{\color{Red}\mathrm{red}} } = \frac{{\color{Red}\mathrm{red}} }{{\color{Green}\mathrm{green}} } = \frac{{\color{Green}\mathrm{green}} }{{\color{Magenta}\mathrm{pink}} } = \varphi .$ + - + - These triangles can be used to form [[Field:Fractals| fractals]] and are one of the only ways to tile a plane using '''pentagonal symmetry'''. Pentagonal symmetry is best explained through example. Below, we have two fractal examples of pentagonal symmetry. Images that exhibit pentagonal symmetry have five symmetry axes. This means that we can draw five lines from the image's center, and all resulting divisions are identical. + - + - :[[Image:Penta1.jpg|400px]] + - :[[Image:Pent111.jpg|400px]] + - |ImageDesc==An Algebraic Derivation of Phi= + - + - {{SwitchPreview|ShowMessage=Click to expand|HideMessage=Click to hide|PreviewText=How can we derive the value of $\varphi$ from its characteristics as a ratio? We may algebraically solve for the ratio ($\varphi$) by observing that ratio satisfies the following property by definition: + - :$\frac{b}{a} = \frac{a+b}{b} = \varphi$|FullText= + - Let $r$ denote the ratio : + - :$r=\frac{a}{b}=\frac{a+b}{a}$. + - + - So + - :$r=\frac{a+b}{a}=1+\frac{b}{a}$ which can be rewritten as + - + - :$1+\cfrac{1}{a/b}=1+\frac{1}{r}$ thus, + - + - :$r=1+\frac{1}{r}$ + - + - Multiplying both sides by $r$, we get + - + - :${r}^2=r+1$ + - + - which can be written as: + - :$r^2 - r - 1 = 0$. + - + - Applying the quadratic formula + - , we get $r = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}} {2}$. + - + - The ratio must be positive because we can not have negative line segments or side lengths. Because the ratio has to be a positive value, + - + - :$r=\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} = 1.61803399... =\varphi$. + - |NumChars=500}} + - + - + - + - + - ==Continued Fraction Representation and [[Fibonacci sequence|Fibonacci Sequences]]== + - The golden ratio can also be written as what is called a '''continued fraction,'''a fraction of infinite length whose denominator is a quantity plus a fraction, which latter fraction has a similar denominator, and so on. This is done by using recursion. + - + - {{SwitchPreview|ShowMessage=Click to expand|HideMessage=Click to hide|PreviewText= |FullText=We have already solved for $\varphi$ using the following equation: + - + - ${\varphi}^2-{\varphi}-1=0$. + - + - We can add one to both sides of the equation to get + - + - ${\varphi}^2-{\varphi}=1$. + - + - Factoring this gives + - + - $\varphi(\varphi-1)=1$. + - + - Dividing by $\varphi$ gives us + - + - $\varphi -1= \cfrac{1}{\varphi }$. + - + - Adding 1 to both sides gives + - + - $\varphi =1+ \cfrac{1}{\varphi }$. + - + - Substitute in the entire right side of the equation for $\varphi$ in the bottom of the fraction. + - + - $\varphi = 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{\varphi } }$ + - + - Substituting in again, + - + - $\varphi = 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{\varphi}}}$ + - + - + - + - $\varphi = 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{\cdots}}}$ + - + - Continuing this substitution forever, the last infinite form is a continued fraction + - + - If we evaluate truncations of the continued fraction by evaluating only part of the continued fraction, replacing $\varphi$ with 1, we produce the ratios between consecutive terms in the [[Fibonacci sequence]]. + - + - $\varphi \approx 1 + \cfrac{1}{1} = 2$ + - + - $\varphi \approx 1 + \cfrac{1}{1+\cfrac{1}{1}} = 3/2$ + - + - $\varphi \approx 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1} } } = 5/3$ + - + - $\varphi \approx 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1+\cfrac{1}{1}}}} = 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{2}}} =1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{2}{3}} = 8/5$ + - + - Thus we discover that the golden ratio is approximated in the Fibonacci sequence. + - + - $1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144...\,$ + - + -
$1/1$$=$$1$
$2/1$$=$$2$
$3/2$$=$$1.5$
$8/5$$=$$1.6$
$13/8$$=$$1.625$
$21/13$$=$$1.61538462...$
$34/21$$=$$1.61904762...$
$55/34$$=$$1.61764706...$
$89/55$$=$$1.61818182...$
+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - $\varphi = 1.61803399...\,$ + - + - As you go farther along in the Fibonacci sequence, the ratio between the consecutive terms approaches the golden ratio. Many real-world applications of the golden ratio are related to the Fibonacci sequence. For more real-world applications of the golden ratio [[Fibonacci Numbers|click here!]] + - + - In fact, we can prove that the ratio between terms in the Fibonacci sequence approaches the golden ratio by using mathematical [[Induction]]. + - + - {{Switch|link1=Click to show proof|link2=Click to hide proof|1= |2= + - + - Since we have already shown that + - + - $\varphi = 1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{1 + \cfrac{1}{\cdots}}}$, + - + - we only need to show that each of the terms in the continued fraction is the ratio of Fibonacci numbers as shown above. + - + - First, let + - :$x_1=1$, + - :$x_2=1+\frac{1}{1}=1+\frac{1}{x_1}$, + - :$x_3= 1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{1}}=1+\frac{1}{x_2}$ and so on so that + - :$x_n=1+\frac{1}{x_{n-1}}$. + - + - These are just the same truncated terms as listed above. Let's also denote the terms of the Fibonacci sequence as + - :$s_n=s_{n-1}+s_{n-2}$ where $s_1=1$,$s_2=1$,$s_3=2$,$s_4=3$ etc. + -
+ - + - We want to show that + - :$x_n=\frac{s_{n+1}}{s_n}$ for all n. + - + - First, we establish our [[Induction|base case]]. We see that + - :$x_1=1=\frac{1}{1}=\frac{s_2}{s_1}$, and so the relationship holds for the base case. + - + - Now we assume that + - :$x_k=\frac{s_{k+1}}{s_{k}}$ for some $1 \leq k < n$ (This step is the [[Induction|inductive hypothesis]]). We will show that this implies that + - :$x_{k+1}=\frac{s_{(k+1)+1}}{s_{k+1}}=\frac{s_{k+2}}{s_{k+1}}$. + - + -

+ - + - By our assumptions about ''x1'',''x2''...''xn'', we have + - + - :$x_{k+1}=1+\frac{1}{x_k}$. + - + - By our inductive hypothesis, this is equivalent to + - + - :$x_{k+1}=1+\frac{1}{\frac{s_{k+1}}{s_{k}}}$. + - + - Now we only need to complete some simple algebra to see + - + - :$x_{k+1}=1+\frac{s_k}{s_{k+1}}$ + - + - :$x_{k+1}=\frac{s_{k+1}+s_k}{s_{k+1}}$ + - + - Noting the definition of $s_n=s_{n-1}+s_{n-2}$, we see that we have + - + - $x_{k+1}=\frac{s_{k+2}}{s_{k+1}}$ + - + - So by the principle of mathematical induction, we have shown that the terms in our continued fraction are represented by ratios of consecutive Fibonacci numbers. + - + - The exact continued fraction is + - :$x_{\infty} = \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\frac{s_{n+1}}{s_n} =\varphi$. + - + - }}|NumChars=75}} + - + - + - + - ==Proof of the Golden Ratio's Irrationality== + - + - {{SwitchPreview|ShowMessage=Click to expand|HideMessage=Click to hide|PreviewText= |FullText= + - Remarkably, the Golden Ratio is irrational, despite the fact that we just proved that is approximated by a ratio of Fibonacci numbers. + - We will use the method of contradiction to prove that the golden ratio is irrational. + - + - Suppose $\varphi$ is rational. Then it can be written as fraction in lowest terms $\varphi = b/a$, where ''a'' and ''b'' are integers. + - + - Our goal is to find a different fraction that is equal to $\varphi$ and is in lower terms. This will be our contradiction that will show that $\varphi$ is irrational. + - + - First note that the definition of $\varphi = \frac{b}{a}=\frac{a+b}{b}$ implies that $b > a$ since clearly $b+a>b$ and the two fractions must be equal. + - + -
+ - + - Now, since we know + - + - :$\frac{b}{a}=\frac{a+b}{b}$ + - + - we see that $b^2=a(a+b)$ by cross multiplication. Foiling this expression gives us $b^2=a^2+ab$. + - + - Rearranging this gives us $b^2-ab=a^2$, which is the same as :$b(b-a)=a^2$. + - + - Dividing both sides of the equation by ''a(b-a)'' gives us + - + - :$\frac{b}{a}=\frac{a}{b-a}$. + - + - Since $\varphi=\frac{b}{a}$, this means $\varphi=\frac{a}{b-a}$. + - + - Since we have assumed that a and b are integers, we know that b-a must also be an integer. Furthermore, since [itex] a - |ToDo=-animation? - - http://www.metaphorical.net/note/on/golden_ratio - http://www.mathopenref.com/rectanglegolden.html - |InProgress=Yes - |HideMME=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra - |InProgress=No - } - |Field=Algebra |InProgress=Yes |InProgress=Yes }} }}

## Current revision

The Golden Ratio
Fields: Algebra and Geometry
Image Created By: Joyce Han

The Golden Ratio

The golden number, often denoted by lowercase Greek letter "phi", is
$\frac{a+b}{a} = \frac{a}{b} \equiv \varphi,$

where the Greek letter phi ($\varphi$) represents the golden ratio. Its value is:

${\varphi}=\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} = 1.61803399...$.
The term golden ratio refers to any ratio which has the value phi. The image to the right illustrates dividing and subdividing a rectangle into the golden ratio. This page explores how the Golden Ratio can be observed and found in the arts, mathematics, and nature.

# Basic Description

==The Golden Ratio as an Irrational Number==

## The Golden Ratio in the Arts

### Parthenon

There is an abundance of artists who consciously used the Golden Ratio from as long ago as 400 BCE. Once such example is the Greek sculptor Phidias, who built the Parthenon. The exterior dimensions of the Parthenon form the golden rectangle, and the golden rectangle can also be found in the space between the columns.

### Vitruvian Man

Another instance in which the Golden ratio appears is in Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing of the Vitruvian Man. Da Vinci’s picture of man’s body fits the approximation of the golden ratio very closely. This picture is considered to a depiction of a perfectly proportioned human body. The Golden Ratio in this picture is the distance from the naval to the top of his head, divided by the distance from the soles of the feet to the top of the head.

### Music

Some people have argued that the Golden Ratio in music produces aesthetically pleasing sounds. Major sixth and the minor sixth chords are considered to be the most pleasing intervals, and subsequently, they are the intervals related to the Golden Ratio. The standard tuning tone used is an A and it vibrates at 440 vibrations per second. A major sixth interval below that would be a C, which has a frequency of 264 vibrations per second. The ratio of the two frequencies reduces to 5/3, which is the ratio of two Fibonacci numbers. Similarly, a minor sixth can be obtained from a high C, which has a frequency of 528 vibrations per second, and an E, which is 330 vibrations per second. This ratio reduces to 8/5, which is also a ratio of two Fibonacci numbers.

The Golden Ratio manifests in the idea that music is proportionally balanced. However, it is an area of debate, because some scholars claim that these appearances are purely coincidental, or a result of number juggling from aficionados. However, many contemporary artists have intentionally used the Golden Ratio in their pieces. Composer, mathematician and teacher Joseph Schillinger believed that music could be based entirely on mathematical formulation. He developed a System of Musical Composition in which successive notes in a melody were followed by Fibonacci intervals when counted in half steps. Half steps are the smallest intervals possible, and it is the closest note that can be played higher or lower. For example, if C were the first note in a composition, the following note would be half a step higher, because one is a Fibonacci number. So, the second note would be a D flat. Schillinger would alternate between moving up and down in intervals. Thus, the third note would be two half steps (because two is the next Fibonacci number), down from the D flat, which would be B flat. The next Fibonacci number after two is three, so the next note would be three half steps higher than the last. Three half steps higher than B flat is E flat. Schillinger believed that these notes convey the same sense of harmony as the phyllotactic ratios found in leaves.

# A More Mathematical Explanation

## Fibonacci Numbers

One of the greatest breakthroughs regarding the Golden Ratio came when its rela [...]

## Fibonacci Numbers

One of the greatest breakthroughs regarding the Golden Ratio came when its relation to Fibonacci numbers, also known as the Fibonacci sequence, was discovered. Fibonacci numbers can also be found in the arts, and nature. The Fibonacci sequence is the series of numbers, 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144,233… The next term in the Fibonacci sequence, starting from the third, is determined by adding the previous two terms together. The Fibonacci sequence is related to the Golden Ratio because as the sequence grows, the ratio of consecutive terms gradually approaches the Golden Ratio. For example here are the ratios of the successive numbers in the Fibonacci sequence:
1/1=1.000000
2/1=2.000000
3/2=1.500000
5/3=1.666666
8/5=1.600000
13/8=1.625000
21/13=1.615385
34/21=1.619048
55/34=1.617647
89/55=1.618182
144/89=1.717978
233/144=1.618056
377/233=1.618026
610/377=1.618037
987/610=1.618033

## The Golden Ratio in Nature

### Spirals & Phyllotaxis

Spirals are abundant concerning phyllotaxis, which describes the way leaves are arranged on a plant stem. In 92 percent of Norway spruce cones, the spirals were found to appear in rows five and eight rows. They appeared in rows of four and seven in six percent, and four and six in four percent. In addition, the number of right-handed spirals appears to be equal to the number of left-handed spirals. The arrangements of the spirals in these spruce cones are found as the following pairs of rows: 2/3,3/5,5/8,8/13,13/21,21/34,34/55,55/89, and 89/144. These numbers are all numbers that belong to the Fibonacci Series.




A similar phenomenon can be observed in sunflower heads. A sunflower head has both clockwise and counterclockwise spirals. The numbers of the spirals in a sunflower usually depend on the size of the sunflower. However, the ratios of the spirals that usually occur are 89/55,144/89, and even 233/144. Once again, all of the numbers in these ratios are consecutive Fibonacci numbers.