“Is God a mathematician? Certainly the universe seems to be reliably understood using mathematics. Nature is mathematics.” (Pickover, 2009)

Throughout this module, there has been a reoccurring theme that maths is everywhere. In our input with Anna, we were introduced to the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. Fibonacci is known for the creation of many sequences, with the golden spiral being his most famous discovery. This particular sequence starts at 0 then 1 then you add the two numbers before you get the next number in the sequence; 0 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144 and so on. Fibonacci discovered that if he used squares with this sequence, it would make the perfect spiral.

Fibonacci’s golden spiral can be seen throughout nature, sunflowers is a clear example of this theory. The spirals of the seed pattern of the sunflower contain Fibonacci’s sequence. But why do the sunflowers abide by Fibonacci’s theory? It has been suggested that the sunflowers can pack the maximum amount of seeds if it follows this particular sequence.

Spiral Galaxies is another example of where Fibonacci’s sequence is apparent. The milky way has several spiralled arms that follow in the Fibonacci sequence. After looking into this, I read about how the spiral galaxies does not fit the theories of astronomers. According to the astronomers, “the radial arms should become curved as the galaxies rotate. Subsequently, after a few rotations, spiral arms should start to wind around a galaxy. But they don’t.” (Planet Dolan, 2017).

Finally, the placement of a flowers petals also follows Fibonacci’s sequence. Examples of this is the lily (3 petals), buttercups (5 petals) and daisy’s which have 34 petals. It is said that the flowers follow the sequence of Fibonacci to maximise their exposure to sunlight, which is obviously beneficial for the flower.

These findings make it apparent that mathematics is purposeful. Whether it maximising sun exposure for a plant, or to maxmise the space within something; mathematics makes it beneficial.

 

Mathsisfun.com. (2017). Fibonacci Sequence. [online] Available at: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html [Accessed 3 Nov. 2017].

Pickover, C. A. (2009) The Math Book from Pythagoras to the 57^th Dimension, 250 Milestones in the History of Mathematics. London: Sterling.

Planet Dolan | Obscure Facts About Life. (2017). 15 Beautiful Examples of Mathematics in Nature. [online] Available at: http://www.planetdolan.com/15-beautiful-examples-of-mathematics-in-nature/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2017].