Ananyavichaar: Post of the Day

The golden ratio is a rather interesting and astonishing observation. It has been re-discovered several times over years by several scientists, mathematicians, astronomers, psychologists, botanists and is an area of study for even designers.

Simply defined, golden ratio exists between two numbers when the ratio of larger number to smaller number is equal to the ratio between the sum of two numbers and the larger number. Its value is 1.6180.

For example, consider the numbers 13 and 21.

21:13 is 1.61:1 and 21+13:21 = 34:21 is also 1.61

The ratio is usually represented by the Greek letter 'phi' (

\phi

) .

It is referred to as 'golden' ratio because this ratio is observed in many patterns across several disciplines.

In mathematics, a classic example of golden ratio is the 'Fibonacci series'

(0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55 and so on wherein every following term is the sum of the previous two numbers). As the series keeps increasing, the ratio between any two numbers of the series gets closer and closer to 1.61. This series is further observed in seed/pollen growth of several flowers and even in trends of stock prices.

In architecture, a golden rectangle is one in which the length and the breadth of the rectangle are in the golden ratio. Application of these rectangles in architecture has been considered to be the most suitable for the building and also the most attractive. It is seen in many ancient Greek places like the Parthenon.

In nature, the golden ratio stands as a universal law in the growth patterns of cells of animal skin, DNA molecules, plant veins ,arrangements of leaves, shells and in fact even hurricanes. The Milky Way has a number of 'spiral arms', each of which showcases a shape/ pattern of a golden spiral and a golden rectangle can be drawn over all of them.

A study has shown that facial features in the golden ratio have been perceived to be the prettiest. That is, the ratio between the length from forehead to the chin and the length from one ear to the other. Also, mostly the length from one's head to the navel and the length from navel to the feet exhibits the golden ratio.