Title: The Fabulous Fibonacci NumbersAuthor(s): Alfred S. Posamentier, Ingmar Lehmann
Source/Format: Library borrowed, Hardcover
More Details: Nonfiction, Math
Publisher/ Release date: Prometheus Books, May 30, 2007
The most ubiquitous, and perhaps the most intriguing, number pattern in mathematics is the Fibonacci sequence. In this simple pattern beginning with two ones, each succeeding number is the sum of the two numbers immediately preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ad infinitum). Far from being just a curiosity, this sequence recurs in structures found throughout nature - from the arrangement of whorls on a pinecone to the branches of certain plant stems. All of which is astounding evidence for the deep mathematical basis of the natural world.
With admirable clarity, two veteran math educators take us on a fascinating tour of the many ramifications of the Fibonacci numbers. They begin with a brief history of a distinguished Italian discoverer, who, among other accomplishments, was responsible for popularizing the use of Arabic numerals in the West. Turning to botany, the authors demonstrate, through illustrative diagrams, the unbelievable connections between Fibonacci numbers and natural forms (pineapples, sunflowers, and daisies are just a few examples).
In art, architecture, the stock market, and other areas of society and culture, they point out numerous examples of the Fibonacci sequence as well as its derivative, the "golden ratio." And of course in mathematics, as the authors amply demonstrate, there are almost boundless applications in probability, number theory, geometry, algebra, and Pascal's triangle, to name a few.
Accessible and appealing to even the most math-phobic individual, this fun and enlightening book allows the reader to appreciate the elegance of mathematics and its amazing applications in both natural and cultural settings.
With admirable clarity, two veteran math educators take us on a fascinating tour of the many ramifications of the Fibonacci numbers. They begin with a brief history of a distinguished Italian discoverer, who, among other accomplishments, was responsible for popularizing the use of Arabic numerals in the West. Turning to botany, the authors demonstrate, through illustrative diagrams, the unbelievable connections between Fibonacci numbers and natural forms (pineapples, sunflowers, and daisies are just a few examples).
In art, architecture, the stock market, and other areas of society and culture, they point out numerous examples of the Fibonacci sequence as well as its derivative, the "golden ratio." And of course in mathematics, as the authors amply demonstrate, there are almost boundless applications in probability, number theory, geometry, algebra, and Pascal's triangle, to name a few.
Accessible and appealing to even the most math-phobic individual, this fun and enlightening book allows the reader to appreciate the elegance of mathematics and its amazing applications in both natural and cultural settings.
My Thoughts
After discovering the both golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence, I just had to find a book on it.The first thing I noticed was the range of topics covered. I like that this book wasn’t purely math, but rather it explored how the Fibonacci sequence could be found in nature, art, music, and a little bit in physics. At times before an example, the reader is reminded of an equation that relates to the example. I like this because I often found myself being distracted at other fascinating things. Along with these examples, various pictures and diagrams were riddled throughout this book, making for both textual and visual interpretations. In addition to this, Appendix A and B contain the first five hundred Fibonacci numbers and more proofs of the relationships.
Even though there were some moments that I felt bored, this was a great, slightly in-depth introduction to the Fibonacci numbers. Overall, I enjoyed The Fabulous Fibonacci Numbers and would recommend it.
I loved it!
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