Student Colloquium - Alexandra Aralda Toperczer Muresan: Fibonacci and the golden ratio are found in nature. A coincidence or not?
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Supervisor: Hans Kjeldsen
Have you ever heard of the Fibonacci numbers or the golden ratio? They are famous numbers and appear to be everywhere, from nature and living beings to art and architecture. Is it just plain coincidence, or are these numbers truly special?
I will introduce the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio and give some examples where they occur naturally, while focusing on their appearance in astronomy. Despite its name, the golden ratio is simply the number 1.618(…), and it is mathematically derived. At first glance, the number may not seem unique at all; nevertheless, many people keep finding structures and things whose ratios are equal to the golden ratio. Furthermore, using basic geometry, one can draw the golden spiral and even identify its occurrence in nature. The Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio are indeed fascinating and make you wonder, why they are so common in our lives.