Fibonacci

A series of numbers that are frequently found in nature are called Fibonacci numbers
They are named after a famous Mathematician and Philosopher from the 12th Century.
Leonardo of Pisa was from the Bonnaci family, hence the name Fibonacci.

The numbers are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…
Each number in the series is made by adding the two previous numbers in the sequence. (why the shell?)

Have you ever noticed that most flowers have 5 petals, …or 3 petals ?
Bananas and Capsicum, have 3 portions in their fruit,
Star fruit, has 5 compartments,
and an Apple core forms a star when cut sideways.

The Golden Section (or Golden Ratio)

is formed when the larger of two consecutive Fibonacci is divided by the smaller giving the number as approximately 1.6

e.g. 13 / 8 = 1.625
21 / 13 = 1.615
34 / 21 = 1.619

Many things in nature and art (e.g. the Mona Lisa) are formed in the ratio of 1:1.6
and it is believed that shapes which are ” pleasing to the eye ” are formed according to this ratio.

The ratio is also frequently found in music, architecture, art, biology etc.