Evariste

The Fibonacci sequence, denoted by the series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, is omnipresent. It is exemplified by the petal counts of numerous flowers, which often present the sequence’s numbers: 3, 5, 8, 13, or 21. This sequence extends to the arrangement of leaves in cacti and the seed patterns in sunflowers, manifesting in dextral and sinistral spirals.
Notably, the human hand—with five fingers, each consisting of three phalanges—also conforms to Fibonacci numbers. Furthermore, the proportions of the human hand’s bones adhere to Fibonacci ratios. The pervasive nature of this sequence invites inquiry into its ubiquity and significance.
The sequence’s origin can be traced to Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, an esteemed mathematician of the Middle Ages. In his seminal work Liber Abaci, Fibonacci introduced the Hindu-Arabic numeral system to the Western world, replacing the less efficient Roman numerals. This book also contains one of the earliest Western references to the sequence, which has been documented in Indian mathematics since the 6th century.
The sequence’s relevance extends beyond mere numbers. When consecutive Fibonacci numbers are divided, the quotient approximates the golden ratio (ϕ), approximately 1.618033. When employed as a growth factor, this ratio results in the golden spiral, a logarithmic spiral that expands by a factor of ϕ for every quarter turn.
The golden ratio is found in various natural forms and structures, from nautilus shells to the formation of galaxies. Artists and architects use this tool because of its aesthetically pleasing properties. Salvador Dali and Le Corbusier, among others, have incorporated the golden ratio in their works, further cementing its status as a design principle.
Dubbed the divine proportion, the golden ratio and its associated Fibonacci numbers can be observed in countless natural and man-made phenomena, evidencing their significance and the inexhaustible nature of their applications.