Fibonacci sequence
- 1. Numeracy Learning objective: To recognise and explain a number pattern.
- 2. Maths is exciting!!!!! It links to the world around us? It is not something that someone has just ‘made up’? Many of our ancestors have been investigating mathematical theories for millions of years?
- 3. Have you ever wondered how many spirals a sunflower centre has?
- 4. Well, it is all to do with a number sequence which was discovered over 8000 years ago by an Italian mathematician called Leonardo Fibonacci.
- 5. He discovered this number sequence 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 What are the next numbers in this sequence? Can you work out the rule for this number sequence? How can we record our findings?
- 6. The next numbers are 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597 So what is the rule? This number sequence is called Fibonacci numbers.
- 7. Ok, so how does this link to sunflowers and nature? On many plants, the number of petals is a Fibonacci number and the seed distribution on sunflowers has a Fibonacci spiral effect. http://www.maths.surrey.ac.uk/hosted-sit
- 8. Activity: Put a line under any number in the sequence. Add up all the numbers above the line. What do you notice? Is this true every time? How can we record our results?
- 9. Steps to success Remember to: •Work co-operatively with your partner; •Read the problem carefully; •Think of a logical way to calculate your answers; •Ask for help if unsure
- 10. Challenge: Take any three numbers in the sequence. Multiply the middle number by itself. Then multiply the first and the third numbers together. Try this a few times. Do the answers have something in common? Are there any numbers that do not fit this rule? Tip: Use a calculator to help you!
- 11. Fibonacci’s number pattern can also be seen elsewhere in nature: •with the rabbit population •with snail shells •with the bones in your fingers •with pine cones •with the stars in the solar system
- 12. If you have time tonight Google Fibonacci and see where else his number sequence appears.