jancology.com

Introduction

Like e and pi, there is a — not commonly known — figure called phi with the symbol φ. The value of φ is 1.618 and you can find this figure in nature and mathematics on numerous of places.

Names for PHI

The figure phi is better known in its relation to the following names:

• The Golden Mean
• The Golden Ratio
• The Divine Ratio

How to calculate PHI

There are lots of way to find it out how to calculate this mathematically. A rule of tumb might be to devide your length by the hight of your umbilical point.

PHI is everywhere

Take the ratio of two sequential figures in the Fibonacci series ( 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, …). For exampe: 21/34=1.619. You see that they fall very close to φ.

Each spiral in the Nautilus shell has a ratio of PHI.

A sunflower has 55 spirals, each spiral has a ratio of PHI.

The Golden rectangle is also used in photography. The ratio of 35mm film is almost that of the Golden Ractangle. See the article: “35mm Film and the Golden Rectangle” for some examples in photography and art.

Quite interesting as I didn’t know about it!