LESSON 1.

2 The Fibonacci Sequence

The physical world is difficult to determine patterns, as we have seen when we

noticed some of the wonders of nature. In mathematics, by doing one or more mathematical
operations over and over, we may produce patterns. Suppose we start as first number in our
pattern with the number 3. Afterwards, we want to add the number 5 to our first number,
resulting in 8, our second number. Repeating this cycle, we get 13, 18, 23, 28, ... as the
successor numbers that make up our sequence. We name such ordered lists of numbers a
series in mathematics.
The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers that find a number by adding the two
numbers before it. The series beginning with 0 and 1, goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and
so on. Written as a rule, the expression is

X n=X n−1 + X n−2

Where: x n is term number “n”,

x n−1 is the previous term (n – 1), &
x n−2 is the term before that (n – 2).

Named after Fibonacci, also known as Leonardo of Pisa or Leonardo Pisano, numbers
of Fibonacci were first introduced in 1202 in his Liber Abbaci (Book of Calculation).
Fibonacci, the son of a Pisan merchant, traveled widely and traded extensively. Mathematics
was extremely important to many in the trading industry and he developed his love for
numbers in his youth.

Example no. 3
The first four Fibonacci numbers are 0, 1, 1 and 2, what is the 14th number?

Solution:
Fourth number =1+2=3
Fifth number =2+3=5
Sixth number =3+5=8
Seventh number = 5 + 8 = 13
Eighth number = 8 + 13 = 21
Ninth number = 13 + 21 = 34
Tenth number = 21 + 34 = 55
Eleventh number = 34 + 55 = 89
Twelfth number = 55 + 89 = 144
Thirteenth number = 89 + 144 = 233
Fourteenth number = 144 + 233 = 377

Therefore, the 14th number in the sequence is 377

Example no. 4
If the first three Fibonacci numbers are given as x 1=1, x 2=1 and x 3=2 ,then what is
the least value of n for which x n >1500?
 Solution:
x4 =1+2=3
x5 =2+3=5
x6 =3+5=8
x7 = 5 + 8 = 13
x8 = 8 + 13 = 21
x9 = 13 + 21 = 34
x 10 = 21 + 34 = 55
x 11 = 34 + 55 = 89
x 12 = 55 + 89 = 144
x 13 = 89 + 144 = 233
x 14 = 144 + 233 = 377
x 15 = 233 + 377 = 610
x 16 = 377 + 610 = 987
x 17 = 610 + 987 = 1597

Therefore, the least value of n for which x n >1500 is n = 17

MAKES A SPIRAL

If we use those widths to make squares, we get a nice spiral:

https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html

See how perfectly the squares come together? For example, 5 and 8 make 13, 8 and
13 make 21, and so on. This spiral found in nature!

https://wallpaperaccess.com/black-sunflower

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 2 of 5

 GOLDEN RATIO

This Golden Ratio can also be expressed as the ratio between two numbers, if the
latter is also the ratio between the sum and the larger of the two numbers. It can also be
visualized geometrically as a perfectly shaped rectangle with a square and another rectangle,
which can be repeated indefinitely throughout each segment. Shapes and figures bearing this
proportion are commonly regarded as aesthetically pleasing. As such, this ratio is evident in
many works of art and architecture including the Mona Lisa, the Cathedral of Notre Dame,
and the Parthenon. In fact, the human DNA molecule also contains Fibonacci numbers, being
34 ångstroms long by 21 ångstroms wide for each full cycle of the double helix spiral. As
shown in the list below, this approximates the Golden Ratio (φ ), at a value of about 1.618034.
(1 ångstrom = 10-10 meter or 0.1 nanometer).
The larger the Fibonacci Numbers pair, the closer the approximation. Let’s try some:

A B B/A
2 3 1.5
3 5 1.6666666…
5 8 1.6
8 13 1.625
…. ….. …..
144 233 1.618055556….
233 377 1.618025751….
…. ….. ……

If we randomly chose 192 and 16 here (and got the sequence 192, 16, 208, 224, 432,
656, 1088, 1744, 2832, 4576, 7408, 11984, 19392, 31376….):

A B B/A
192 16 0.0833333…
16 208 13
208 224 1.07692308…
224 432 1.92857143…
…. ….. …..
7408 11984 1.61771058….
1198 19392 1.61815754….

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 3 of 5

 4
…. ….. ……

Having good values takes longer, but is shows that this is not only possible for the
Fibonacci Series!

Using the Golden Ration to Calculate Fibonacci Numbers

Using the Golden Ratio, we can calculate any Fibonacci Number:

n n
φ −(1−φ)
x n=
√5

Example no. 5
x 12=?

Solution:

φn −(1−φ)n
x n=
√5
(1.618034)12−(1−1.618034)12
x 12= =144.000012 ≈144
√5

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 4 of 5

 References

Mathematics in the Modern World – Philippine Edition – CENGAGE

Mathematics in the Modern World by Hengania, et.al 2019

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

https://www.mathsisfun.com/

https://www.funtrivia.com/

https://www.math.fsu.edu/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 5 of 5