The Golden Rectangle and

the Golden Spiral:

How the Greeks Used Them





By: Reza Nadaf



Without mathematics there is no art. Luca Pacioli.

The Golden rectangle is a rectangle created by Phi or the golden
ratio. Many people believe that the Greeks used the golden ratio to
create some of their architecture, specifically the Parthenon. The
Golden Rectangle and the Golden Spiral: How the Greeks used them.
The Golden ratio or Phi is a ratio used to create geometric figures.
This ratio is similar to Pi. Pi is the ratio of the diameter of the circle to
the circumference of the circle. Phi is the ratio of a longer part of a line
to the shorter part of a line. The Pi ratio is around 3.14 and the Phi ratio
is about 1.618. By using the lines created with the golden ratio you can
create a golden rectangle. You can use golden rectangles to create
golden spirals, which are smaller golden rectangles inside larger golden
rectangles, which eventually form to create a spiral.
The Parthenon one of the Greek temples in Athens demonstrates
the golden ratio. There is a debate weather the Greeks purposely used
the golden ratio in the construction of the Parthenon or if it was just a
coincidence. Other Greek creations such as vases and statues also
incorporated the golden ratio. If the Greeks did utilize the golden ratio
in the Parthenon they did so to a great extent. Even the designs of the
Parthenon integrated the golden ratio. Whether the Greeks deliberately
used the golden ratio or not the Parthenon is an amazing feat of
engineering and design.
It is unknown when people discovered the golden ratio. The
Egyptians may have used the golden ratio in the construction of their
pyramids so scientists believe that it is very old. The oldest known
recoding of the golden ratio was in Greece 300 B.C. which is after the
Parthenon was built. Though this does not mean the Greeks did not use
the golden ratio. Some say that the Greeks did not use the golden ratio
because the stairs do not show any sign of golden ratio use. Overall the
Parthenon in Greece is a beautiful Greek structure.
The Golden ratio relates to geometry because it is used to create
geometric figures such as golden rectangles. These golden rectangles
are seen within the Parthenon. Overall the golden ratio makes a
beautiful shape and it is used throughout ancient and modern times.





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Bibliography