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Discovering Phi: The Golden Ratio
| Content Provider | TeachEngineering: STEM curriculum for K-12 |
|---|---|
| Author | Abaid, Nicole |
| Copyright Year | 2013 |
| Description | Students discover the mathematical constant phi, the golden ratio, through hands-on activities. They measure dimensions of "natural objects"—a star, a nautilus shell and human hand bones—and calculate ratios of the measured values, which are close to phi. Students discover the mathematical constant phi, the golden ratio, through hands-on activities. They measure dimensions of "natural objects"—a star, a nautilus shell and human hand bones—and calculate ratios of the measured values, which are close to phi. Then students learn a basic definition of a mathematical sequence, specifically the Fibonacci sequence. By taking ratios of successive terms of the sequence, they find numbers close to phi. They solve a squares puzzle that creates an approximate Fibonacci spiral. Finally, the instructor demonstrates the rule of the Fibonacci sequence via a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 robot equipped with a pen. The robot (already created as part of the companion activity, The Fibonacci Sequence & Robots) draws a Fibonacci spiral that is similar to the nautilus shape. |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Rights Holder | Regents of The University of Colorado Polytechnic Institute of New York University |
| Subject Keyword | Algebra Measurement Number and Operations Fibonacci Sequence Robotics Golden Mean Robot Sequence Golden Ratio Fibonacci Ratio |
| Content Type | Text |
| Time Required | PT1H |
| Education Level | Class VI Class VII Class VIII |
| Pedagogy | Experimental Activity |
| Resource Type | Hands-on |
| Subject | Modern Physics Number Sense and Numeration Geometry |
