Definition of Golden Number (Golden Ratio)

This number is a constant that represents the relationship between the sides of a rectangle. Scientists know that all natural phenomena can be expressed in mathematical language. For example, Newton showed that the laws that govern the motions of the stars have a expression mathematics. This idea is adapted to all the sciences, such as physics, biology, the economy or medicine. Thus, plants grow following patterns math, the same happens with the development of animals or any other reality that can be quantified mathematically.

The golden number and its properties

His symbol is φ and its value is 1.6180... It is, therefore, an irrational number, that is, an infinite number and not Newspaper. As for its origin, it comes from the properties of some types of rectangles. Keep in mind that a rectangle that has this proportion (the golden ratio) has the longest side and when divided by the shortest side, this is equivalent to φ. Thus, a golden rectangle has the following properties:

1) the sub-rectangle created from the larger rectangle is also a gold rectangle, which means that both rectangles are proportional and

2) the square of φ and its inverse have the same decimal places.

These peculiar arithmetic characteristics make the golden number also known as the golden number or as the divine proportion.

The golden ratio is present in everyday life

Many of the everyday structures around us are rectangular in shape (calculators, books, screens, sports fields, papers, etc.). This form is considered the most harmonic possible and in most cases the golden ratio is used for its design.

The origin of the golden number and its interpretation

In texts from the ancient world (especially from the civilization Babylonian and Egyptian) there are already references to the golden ratio. However, there is no definitive proof that it was used consciously by mathematicians, architects, or astronomers. The first mathematician to expressly mention the golden number was the Greek Euclid in the fourth century BC. C.

In the seventeenth century the mathematician Luca Pacioli argued that the golden number expresses the perfection of the universe and for this reason to refer to it he spoke of the divine proportion, with which he implied that the value of said number was comparable to the idea of ​​God (for example, both the concept of God and the golden number are incommensurable ideas).

Photo: Fotolia - srodrim