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Fibonacci Series of numbers 

Fibonacci Series of numbers

The series of numbers, known as the Fibonacci numbers are found throught the world, in both things man made, as well as in nature. The amount of information available regarding this series of numbers, is astounding, and  even today, being studied by Mathematicians, in search of more seemingly coincidental conclusions.

The series is as follows: Note that any two sequential numbers, starting from the left added together, equal the third number in the sequence.

 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987 ...

If we take the ratio of two successive numbers in Fibonacci series, (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ..) and we divide each by the number before it, we will find the following series of numbers:

1/1 = 1,   2/1 = 2,   3/2 = 1·5,   5/3 = 1·666...,   8/5 = 1·6,   13/8 = 1·625,   21/13 = 1·61538...  Note: in the fourth equation, the golden rectangle has been roughly obtained. In the next few equations it stabilizes to become 1.618034, which is the golden rectangle. This is also referred to as the golden mean, golden number, golden section, or golden ratio.

If you take a golden rectangle, of any size, and cut it to form a square, the remaining piece will still be a golden rectangle!

Using this series of numbers, has for centuries been the proper method of achieving perfect proportions. The are considered divine numbers.

When building a cabinet or piece of furniture, we routinely refer to these numbers, in an effort to create an esthetically pleasing piece. The next time you build a rectangular piece, take the smaller dimension, and multiply it by 1.618. It will then be a Golden rectangle, and is sure to be pleasing to the eye.

If you double any number in the series, for example, 34 x 2 = 68. This number of 68, will work well with most of the original series of numbers, in forming pleasing rectangles. ie...  13" x 68", even though it is not a golden rectangle, will make an esthetically pleasing rectangle.

A short Flash Video on the Fibonacci series and golden section.

There is much written on this subject, and a simple Google search will lead you to hundreds of pages and equations, which frankly, are beyond my comprehension.

The references to nature, which fall within these numbers will leave all but the most mathematically gifted, completely confused, unless of course I'm so far behind it's sad!

A video from Wood Magazine - How To Proportion Projects Pleasing To the Eye

Written by: Lee A. Jesberger  © 2006

Inventor of Ezee-Feed systems  ®