Children's STEAM Festival: A Golden Ratio Scavenger Hunt in the Garden (2024)

FAQs

What is the golden ratio in gardening? ›

The golden ratio is 1.618, and it can be used in a myriad of ways. The “Golden Rectangle” takes it a step further: the ratio of the short side to the long side should equal to the ratio of the long side to the sum of the long and short sides.

The golden ratio is approximately equal to 1.618 and is called phi. Dividing any line at this special number will give us a ratio that is proportional to both parts of the line and to the whole line as well.

The golden ratio (also known as the golden section, and golden mean) is the ratio 1:0.62. Use it to divide lines and rectangles in an aesthetically pleasing way. In the above square A is 0.62 of the rectangle. Square B is 0.62 of square A.

Flower petals

The number of petals in a flower consistently follows the Fibonacci sequence. Famous examples include the lily, which has three petals, buttercups, which have five (pictured at left), the chicory's 21, the daisy's 34, and so on.

You take a line and divide it into two parts – a long part (a) and a short part (b). The entire length (a + b) divided by (a) is equal to (a) divided by (b). And both of those numbers equal 1.618. So, (a + b) divided by (a) equals 1.618, and (a) divided by (b) also equals 1.618.

number of petals in a flower is often one of the following numbers: 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 or 55. For example, the lily has three petals, buttercups have five of them, the chicory has 21 of them, the daisy has often 34 or 55 petals, etc. Faces, both human and nonhuman, abound with examples of the Golden Ratio.

Thus, the following equation establishes the relationship for the calculation of golden ratio: ϕ = a/b = (a + b)/a = 1.61803398875... where a and b are the dimensions of two quantities and a is the larger among the two.

This ratio - 1.618 - is an approximation of its true value of [1+√5)/2]. This ratio has served mankind in three ways: it provides beauty, function, and reveals how wise, good, and powerful the Creator is.

Furthermore, the golden ratio is also associated with the idea of divine proportions or cosmic harmony. Many artists and philosophers throughout history have attributed spiritual or metaphysical significance to the golden ratio, seeing it as a representation of divine or universal order.

Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495-8

Da Vinci demonstrated his understanding of the golden ratio in many of his other artworks, including The Annunciation, 1472-6, Vitruvian Man, 1490, and perhaps even in the Mona Lisa, 1503-9.

How do you layout a golden ratio? ›

Layout:Set your dimensions with the Golden Ratio

One very simple way to apply the Golden Ratio is to set your dimensions to 1:1.618.> For example, take your typical 960-pixel width layout and divide it by 1.618. You'll get 594, which will be the height of the layout.

The Golden Ratio can be calculated proportionally, using joined line segments AB and BC that obey the Golden Ratio with AB being the shorter segment. The Golden Ratio is given by the proportion AB/BC = BC/AC. The Golden Ratio may also be expressed in terms of itself, as the formula phi = 1 + 1/phi.

The “golden ratio” is a 1.618:1 mathematical ratio, and the number 1.618 is known as “phi.” Golden ratios can be found in shells, plants, flowers, and animals, among other places. It is believed to be one of the strongest and oldest connections between math and creative arts.

In botany, the Golden Ratio is observed in the growth patterns of various plants. For instance, the arrangement of leaves around a stem often follows a spiral pattern based on the Golden Ratio. This pattern allows each leaf to receive maximum sunlight and nutrients, optimizing the plant's growth.