Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Lesson 1.3 The Golden Ratio

Objectives of the Lesson

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify the presence of the Golden Ratio in nature, architecture, and artworks
and the human body
2. enumerate the practical application of this concept in your life

The symbol of the golden ratio is the Greek letter "phi" – Ф (uppercase letter)
or φ (lowercase letter). It is named after the Greek sculptor Phidias. It is an irrational
number approximately equal to 1.618. The Golden Ratio is also equal to
√𝟓+𝟏
φ= and φ = 𝟐(𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝟓𝟒°).1
𝟐

The Golden Ratio is also known as Divine Ratio or Divine Proportion.

1.3.1 The Golden Ratio Derived from the Fibonacci Sequence

There are ways to derive the approximate value of the Golden Ratio, such as
1. by using the golden sections, a and b of a line segment where

and is considered as the golden ratio.

2. from the so-called "continued fraction."

Note: You are encouraged to research the complete derivation of the Golden
Ratio from the ways mentioned above.

Surprisingly, there is an easier way to derive the value of the Golden Ratio by
using the Fibonacci sequence. Let us consider the first eleven (11) numbers in the
sequence.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

Then find the ratio of the next number and the preceding as shown in the table.

1 "Mammalian Skull Dimensions and the Golden Ratio (Φ ...."

https://journals.lww.com/jcraniofacialsurgery/fulltext/2019/09000/mammalian_skull_dimensions_and_the_golden
_ratio.34.aspx. Accessed 6 Aug. 2020.
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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Ratio Quotient
2𝑛𝑑 1
1
1𝑠𝑡 1
3𝑟𝑑 2
2
2𝑛𝑑 1
4𝑡ℎ 5
1.5
3𝑟𝑑 3
5𝑡ℎ 8
1.666666…
4𝑡ℎ 5
6𝑡ℎ 13
1.6
5𝑡ℎ 8
7𝑡ℎ 21
1.625
6𝑡ℎ 13
8𝑡ℎ 34
1.61538462
7𝑡ℎ 21
9𝑡ℎ 55
1.61764706
10𝑡ℎ 34
11𝑡ℎ 89
1.6181818…
10𝑡ℎ 55
...

You will notice that the bigger Fibonacci numbers you use as a ratio, the closer
you get to the approximate value of φ (1.61803398874989484820...).

Continue the table using up to the 25th number in the sequence.

1.3.2 Application

Many artists and architects apply the Golden Ratio in their artworks and creative
designs, believing that their works would be more pleasing and beautiful.

1.3.2.1 The Golden Spiral

The Fibonacci spiral, as mentioned in the

previous lesson, is constructed using the numbers in
the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci spiral is also
known as the Golden Spiral.

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Many artists who lived after Phidias have

used the Golden Rectangle and the Golden Ratio
like Leonardo Da Vinci in his painting "Mona Lisa."

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/0d/70/780d70cee
ad6fd4550b0d5dbe137f157.jpg

1.3.2.2 The Golden Rectangle is a rectangle whose sides are in the

proportion of the Golden Ratio. This may be observed in notable architectural
structures dating back to ancient times as well as art.

Temples like the Parthenon in

Greece are believed to have the
Golden Ratio in them.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
RL5ZXm0fPiY/TZ4PKWJcvUI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wJIO2cjskro/s640/parthenon
goldenratio.png

1.3.2.3 Proportions of the human body, such as the face, follows the Divine
Proportion. The closer the body parts' proportion is to the Golden Ratio, the more
aesthetic and beautiful the body is.

https://www.deviantart.com/lighthouse-beacon/art/The-Golden- https://sriyantraresearch.com/Article/GoldenRatio/face1.jpg
Ratio-and-Body-Proportions-289022375

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Activity 1.3
The Golden Ratio
(In the Parts of Your Body)

Student Name: ________________________________ Number of Ratios Found

(Surname, First Name, Middle Initial) Equal to or Closer to the
Golden Ratio: _________
Program/Year/Section: ________________ Interpretation: ___________
Date Accomplished: _________________

Objective: To count how many ratios of your body parts are equal to or closer to the
Golden Ratio (1.618) as of the date the measurements are taken.

You need to have:

● A person to assist you in the measurement (Please observe proper health

protocols.)
● Tape measure (medida)
● Calculator

Direction:

1. Using the tape measure, take the required measurements in centimeters of

your body parts as accurately as possible. You may ask the assistance of
another person in doing this.
2. Record the measurements in the corresponding blanks.
3. Compute for the indicated ratios to three decimal places and write in the
appropriate blanks.
4. Encircle the ratios that are in the range of 1.600-1.636.
5. Count these ratios and record in the upper right-hand corner with interpretations
as follows:

Number of Encircled Ratios Interpretation

6-8 You can maintain such body profiles.

3-5 You can achieve some more in the near future.

0-2 You can achieve them later in life

Note: This is just for fun. Having none or lesser encircled ratios does not mean you
are imperfect. Everyone is unique and physical appearance is only one aspect of
your lives. Your worth as a person is not solely based on this!

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

(Helpful Tip: Measure using a straight line and do not bend/curve the measuring
tape.)

I. Human Hand

A= __________
B = __________

C = __________
D = __________
Ratio:
𝑩
1. = __________
𝑨

𝑪
2. = __________
𝑩 http://jaycemyers.weebly.com/human-hand.html

𝑫
3. = __________
𝑪

II. Human Arm

E = ___________
F = ___________

Ratio:
𝑭
4. = _________ https://recreationalmathematics.neocities.org/GoldenRatio-Nature.html
𝑬

III. Human Body

_____________G.Top of head to foot __________K. Navel to chin

_____________H.Top of head to tip of middle finger __________L. Navel to foot

_____________I. Top of head to navel __________M. Navel to knee

_____________J. Top of head to chin __________N. knee to foot

Ratio:
𝑮 𝑳
5. = ________________ 7. = ________________
𝑯 𝑰

𝑲 𝑴
6. = ________________ 8. = ________________
𝑱 𝑵

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

IV. Human Face

_______O. Length of face (2 to 33)

_______P. Width of face (19 to 20)

_______Q. Eyebrows (3) to lips (31)

_______R. Length of nose (5 to 23)

_______S. Eyebrows (4) to tip of jaw (33)

_______T. Nose (25) to tip of jaw (33)

_______U. Lower lip (32) to tip of jaw (33)

_______V. Hairline (2) to nose (25)

_______W. Outside distance of eyes (13

to14)

_______X. Width of lips (29 to30) https://www.goldennumber.net/meisner-

beauty-guide-golden-ratio-facial-analysis/

_______Y. Width of eye (13 to 15)

_______Z.1 Eyelid (17) to chin (33)

_______Z.2 Lips (31) to chin (33)

Ratio:
𝑸 𝑶
9. = ______________ 13. = ________________
𝑹 𝑽

𝑶 𝑾
10. = _______________ 14. = ________________
𝑺 𝑿

𝑻 𝑿
11. = _______________ 15. = ________________
𝑼 𝒀

𝑽 𝒁.𝟏
12. = _______________ 16. = ________________
𝑻 𝒁.𝟐

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Body Proportion like that of a Greek god

𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 (𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝟐)

17. = = ______
𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆

What are you going to do if you want to achieve the body proportion of a Greek god?
Your answer:
__________________________________________________________________

Beauty or Sex Appeal

𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆
18. = = ______
𝒘𝒊𝒅𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Lesson 1.4. The Indispensability of Mathematics

Objectives of the Lesson

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. compare your previous concepts of mathematics with what you have learned
in this module
2. identify at least five instances in your life that mathematics has helped.

This lesson is already your last lesson in this module, where you have to conclude
what mathematics has done, is doing, and will be doing in your life.

Indispensability is the characteristic of being indispensable. Indispensable is a

strong adjective for something necessary that you cannot do without. Thus,
mathematics is indispensable. Do you agree? Continue reading.
Mathematics is everywhere and is very helpful in every aspect of our lives. Our
world would be in chaos, and things would be unorganized, and the form of arts would
not be pleasurable at all if not for mathematics. Here are the reasons:

1. Mathematics helps organize patterns and regulations in the world.

If we are going to have a closer look at the pattern in the world, we will see the
beauty of mathematics. Here are some specific examples. Animals have stripes or
patterns for camouflage. Seasons have patterns to show influence on nature; climate
change, rain comes, snow melts, and earth change color. The sun has patterns; why
the sun sets, where it went and why it returned. Markets and grocery stores have
patterns in categorizing items and products.
Finding and understanding patterns is crucial to mathematical thinking and
problem solving, and it is easier for students to understand patterns if they know how
to organize their information.2

2. Mathematics helps predict the behavior of nature and phenomena in the

world

Using mathematical tools, we create models that correspond to what we can

measure and observe in the world of reality. Models that work really well that predict
behaviors in counterpart to the model which have not been observed, these are taken
as "laws of nature". Occasionally, the mathematics of laws describing phenomena not
considered related reveals surprising, unanticipated relationships. Mathematics

2 "Organizing Patterns in Mathematics | LD Topics | LD OnLine." http://www.ldonline.org/article/63844/. Accessed

15 Jul. 2020.
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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

provides the frameworks within which observations of the physical world can be
encoded.3
Researchers observe nature and phenomena and try to make a mathematical
model that works for their observation and makes sense. They try to generalize or find
a rule for what they observed. After that, these models can be used for simulations
that help predict what will happen.4
For example, researchers found a pattern that a group of bacteria grows
exponentially over a period of time at a particular rate. Using the pattern, they can
develop a model that can be used to determine bacterial growth.

3. Mathematics helps control nature and occurrence in the world for our own
ends.

The world is interconnected. Everyday math shows these connections and

possibilities. The earlier young learners can put these skills into practice, the more
likely we will remain an innovation society and economy. 5
Mathematics can help us control nature and occurrences in the world for our
own good through mathematical modeling. By mathematical modeling, we see the
inputs and their outcomes. Mathematical modeling helps the community respond to
the COVID-19 pandemic by informing decisions about pandemic planning, resource
allocation, social distancing measures, and other instructions. The computer models
are being used by scientists to understand natural phenomena such as typhoons and
earthquakes. These models are being used to improve their mathematical methods
for prediction.

4. Mathematics has numerous applications in the world, making it

indispensable.

In the entire history of education, mathematics has held its leading position
among all other school subjects because it has been considered as an indispensable
tool in the formation of the educated man. According to Griffiths (1974), the educated
man is the knowledgeable man trained to approach the affairs of his daily life with a
sense of detachment and objectivity and to reason about them soberly and correctly.
Mathematics is the only subject that can be used in all world cultures to produce an
educated man. Mathematics has helped to contribute immensely to the general and
basic education of the people of the world. 6

3 "(PPT) MATHEMATICS HELPS PREDICT THE BEHAVIOR OF ...."

https://www.academia.edu/37079573/MATHEMATICS_HELPS_PREDICT_THE_BEHAVIOR_OF_NATURE_AN
D_PHENOMENA_IN_THE_WORLD. Accessed 15 Jul. 2020.
4 "Theory and Observation in Science (Stanford Encyclopedia of ...." 6 Jan. 2009,

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/science-theory-observation/. Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.

5 "Understanding the World Through Math | Asia Society." https://asiasociety.org/education/understanding-world-

through-math. Accessed 15 Jul. 2020.

6 "Mathematics: Indispensable tool for successful and balance ...."

https://www.imedpub.com/articles/mathematics-indispensable-tool-for-successful-and-balance-human-existence-
on-this-planet.pdf. Accessed 15 Jul. 2020.
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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

From a house or a building that is measured accurately to withstand calamities;

to cooking that accurately measure ingredients to achieve maximum satisfaction for
the desired dish; to medicines and foods that keep us alive and healthy; to
transportation that helps us to go places anywhere and anytime; to the means of
communications with almost anybody in the world; to our everyday transactions to
make it faster and orderly; to companies that price their goods to ensure that they earn
a profit; to insurance in ensuring that everything is financially viable; to listening to
music that is pleasing to hear with their sound waves and notes; and to fashion design
to suit our taste in our "outfit of the day or OOTD," we see the beauty of symmetry in
them.

Can you list at least five (5) applications of mathematics in your life?

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 Unit 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Reflection

Student Name: _________________________________

(Surname, First Name, Middle Initial)
Program/Year/Section: _________ Remarks from the instructor: _________
Date of Submission: :______________ Instructor: ________________________

Direction: Document your experience in learning this module and list your plans by
accomplishing the table below.

Past Present Future

I thought that Then I earned that And I plan that

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