1.2 The Fibonacci Sequence: Example: Generating A Sequence

1.
2 The Fibonacci Sequence
The human mind is hard-wired to recognize patterns, as we’ve seen when we noted some of
nature’s wonders. In mathematics, we could generate patterns by performing one or several
mathematical operation over and over. Suppose we start with a number 3 as the first in our
pattern. We then choose to add the number 5 to our first number, resulting to 8, which is our
second number. Repeating this process, we obtain 13, 18, 23, 28,… as the succeeding numbers
that form our pattern. In mathematics, we call these ordered lists of numbers a sequence.
In mathematics, a sequence is an ordered list of numbers, called terms that may have
repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is set by some define rule.
Example: Generating a Sequence

Analyze the given sequence for its rule and identify the next three terms.
a. 1, 10, 100, 1000
b. 2, 5, 9, 14, 20
Solution:
a. Looking at the set of numbers, it can be observed that each term is a power of 10: 1 =
100 , 10 = 101 , 100 = 102 , 1000 = 103 . Following this rule, the next three terms are:
104 = 10000, 105 = 100000, and 106 = 1000000.
b. The difference between the first and second terms (2 and 5) is 3. The difference between
the second and third terms (5 and 9) is 4. The difference between the third and fourth
terms (9 and 14) is 5. Following this rule, it can be deducted that to obtain the next term,
the current term should be increased by 2 + � , where � is the position of the current
term. Hence, the following three terms are 20 + 2 + 5 = 27, 27 + 2 + 6 = 35, 35 + 2 +
7 = 44.
Check Your Progress!

Analyze the given sequence for its rule and identify the next three terms.
a. 16, 32, 64, 128
b. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
The sequence in Check Your Progress item b is a very special sequence called the Fibonacci
sequence. It is named after the Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, who was better known
by his nickname Fibonacci. He is said to have discovered this sequence as he looked at how a
hypothesis group of rabbits bred and reproduced. The problem involved having a single pair of
rabbits is born each month and this new pair, in turn, gives birth to additional pairs of rabbits
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beginning at two months after they were born. He noted that the set of numbers generated from
this problem could be extended by getting the sum of the two previous terms.
Starting with 0 and 1, the succeeding terms in the sequence could be generated by adding
the two numbers that came before:
0+1 = 1 0, 1, 1
1+1 = 2 0, 1, 1, 2
1+2 = 3 0, 1, 1, 2, 3
2+3 = 5 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5
3+5 = 8 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
5 + 8 = 13 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13
While the sequence carries Fibonacci’s name, this particular pattern is said to have been
discovered much earlier in India. According to some scholarly articles, this is evident in the
number of variations of a particular category of Sanskrit and Prakrit poetry meters. In poetry,
meter refers to the rhythmic pattern of syllables. Counting these as they appear in poetry leads
to the general rule for the formation of the Fibonacci sequence which is
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, …
This special sequence has many interesting properties. Among
these is that this pattern is very visible in nature. Some of nature’s
most beautiful patterns, like the spiral arrangement of sunflower
seeds, the number of petals in a flower, and the shape of a snail’s
shell. All contain Fibonacci numbers. It is also interesting to note
the ratios of successive Fibonacci numbers approach to the
number � (Phi), also known as the Golden Ratio. This is
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approximately equal to 1.618.
1
1
= 1.0000
2
1
= 2.0000
3
2
= 1.5000
5
3
= 1.6667
8
5
= 1.6000
13
8
= 1.6250
21
13
= 1.6154
34
21
= 1.6191
55
34
= 1.6177
89
55
= 1.6182
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. Geometrically, it can also be
visualized as a rectangle perfect formed by a square
and another rectangle, which can be repeated
infinitely inside each section. Shapes and figure that
bear this proportion are generally considered to be
the aesthetically pleasing. As such, this ratio is visible
in many works of art and architecture such as in the
Mona Lisa, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Parthenon. In fact, the human DNA molecule also
contains Fibonacci numbers, being 34 angstroms long by 21 angstroms wide for each full cycle
of the double helix spiral. As shown in the list above, this approximates the Golden Ratio at a
value about 1.618. (1 angstrom = 10−10 meter or 0.1 nanometer)
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Republic of the Philippines
SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS
San Isidro, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte
ACTIVITY IN FIBONACCI SEQUENCE

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Course & Section: _________________________ Score: _________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
General Instructions:
a. Write all your answers in a clean sheet of bond paper.
b. Show all your solution and box your final answer.
c. Take a picture of your answer and send it through messenger.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A. Let �� be the nth term of the Fibonacci sequence, with �1 = 1, �2 = 1, �3 = 2, and so on.
1. Find �8 .
2. Find �9 .
3. If �22 = 17,711 and �24 = 46,368, what is �23 ?
4. Evaluate the following sums:
�1 + �2 = _____
�1 + �2 + �3 = _____
�1 + �2 + �3 + �4 = _____
Determine the pattern in the successive sums. What will be the sum of �1 + �2 +
… + �10 ?
5. If you have a wooden board that is 0.75 meters wide, how long should you cut it
such that the Golden Ratio is observed? Use the value of the Golden Ratio as 1.618.
B. Fill up the worksheet (The Perfect Face – Golden Beauty Calculator) below that calculates the
beauty ratio.
The human body is filled with “hidden” ratios that seem to remain constant for most
people. Some examples are the arm span/height and the circumference of the fist/foot length.
For this activity you are going to record the measurements of your face and then calculate each
of the ratios for your face.
Note: It is best to hold the ruler as far away from your eyes as possible when measuring these
distances on the other’s face. Otherwise you will get distorted measurements. Another way to
measure is to use string.
A. Top of Head (1) to Chin (2) = _________ cm
B. Top of Head (1) to Pupil (3) = _________ cm
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C. Pupil (3) to Tip of Nose (4) = _________ cm
D. Pupil (3) to Lips (5) = _________ cm
E. Width of Nose (6 to 7) = _________ cm
F. Distance Between Outside Edges of Eyes (8 to 9) = _________ cm
G. Width of Head (10 to 11) = _________ cm
H. Hairline (12) to Pupil (3) = _________ cm
I. Tip of Nose (4) to Chin (2) = _________ cm
J. Lips (5) to Chin (2) = _________ cm
K. Length of Lips (13 to 14) = _________ cm
L. Tip of Nose (4) to Lips (5) = _________ cm
Now, find the golden ratio (1.618).
A. A/G = _________ cm
B. B/D = _________ cm
C. I/J = _________ cm
D. I/C = _________ cm
E. E/L = _________ cm
F. F/H = _________ cm
G. K/E = _________ cm
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1.

2 The Fibonacci Sequence

Example: Generating a Sequence

Check Your Progress!

ACTIVITY IN FIBONACCI SEQUENCE

Now, find the golden ratio (1.618).

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