Mathematics is beautiful because it’s able to interpret everything that the universe holds. And the golden ratio has added finesse to the world of mathematics. Hang on, before we start let’s know what golden ratio is. Golden ratio (φ) is `(1 + sqrt(5))/2` (1.61803398875...) which is obtained by dividing two successive Fibonacci numbers. The series of numbers formed by adding two numbers before them starting with 0 and 1 is called a Fibonacci sequence. And when you draw a square with these Fibonacci numbers you get a spiral called logarithmic spiral.
But what’s the deal with this spiral? Think for a minute, you will feel quite familiar with this spiral shape. Well that is because it looks like a shell of a nautilus. What’s more, the petals of flowers follow a Fibonacci sequence. Not just petals but natural phenomena such as hurricanes also form similar logarithmic spirals. You will be shocked to know that even our own bodies exhibit the golden ratio properties. For example, the measurement from the navel to the floor and the top of the head to the navel is the golden ratio. Animal bodies also exhibit similar tendencies just like us!
Going back to the time in 1202, Fibonacci also known as Leonardo of Pisa conducted a rabbit experiment where he counted the population of rabbits in one year. He supposed a newly-born pair of rabbits, one male, one female, were put in a field. Rabbits are able to mate in one month so that at the end of its second month a female can produce another pair of rabbits. Suppose that our rabbits never die and that the female always produces one new pair (one male, one female) every month from the second month on. The puzzle that Fibonacci posed was. How many pairs will there be in one year? And the answer of course is a Fibonacci number located at the 12th position. You know what, your family tree might also work the same way.
Speaking of the ancient period, the famous ancient buildings such as the great pyramid of Giza, the Parthenon, Eiffel tower, Taj Mahal, Notre Dame in Paris are all claimed to be built with the golden ratio dimensions. That’s why they are so golden! You might possibly argue with this claim. But the architects have taken the dimensions of these buildings and found out to be in the golden ratio. Even today’s buildings such as the UN Secretariat building and Toronto’s CN tower are in golden ratio.
The galaxies are also quite similar to the logarithmic spirals tracing the golden ratio dimensions. The DNA in our human body is also in golden ratio meaning that the DNA molecules are 34 Angstroms long and 21 Angstroms wide for each full cycle of double helix spiral. DNA in the cell appears as a double-stranded helix referred to as B-DNA. This form of DNA has a two groove in its spirals, with a ratio of phi in the proportion of the major groove to the minor groove, or roughly 21 angstroms to 13 angstroms.
Therefore, the golden ratio really is golden and prevalent everywhere, be it in nature, the universe, human body, animals, plants or elsewhere. All thanks to Italian Mathematician Fibonacci who provided us the golden ratio, perfectly irrational but quite astounding. The takeaway of the golden ratio is that wherever you use it, it will foster organic and natural-looking compositions that are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
