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Assignment: Graduation standard: Fibonacci numbers and the Golden ratio. Students will write a paper explaining Fibonacci numbers that includes a drawing of a golden triangle, showing the necessary mathematics. The paper should also describe Fibonacci numbers found in nature and in art and architecture.

Due date:

Reference works:

Check the Encyclopedia Americana for a definition and drawing of Fibonacci series in the leaves of a plant.

Recommended web sites:

1. University of Surrey, UK (Fibonacci numbers and other links)

2. Dr. Math's FAQ on Fibonacci numbers. Dr. Math (college math students from around the country) answers your math questions. BTW, FAQ means "Frequently Asked Questions."

3. Access Indiana (the official site for the state of Indiana) provides recommended web links on Leonardo Fibonacci.

4. Teachers in the Chicago Public Schools developed this site on Fibonacci.

5. MathSoft's page on Golden Mean (This math software publisher provides definitions, examples, and links to other sites.)

6. This animated site dealing with Fibonacci numbers outlines the basics and provides illustrations from architecture. The site is posted at a free web site. The author's credentials are not listed. This may be the work of another high school student. Do check the information with other sources.

7. Roshomon is an artist whose home page says he includes his art, things he likes, and things that interest him. One of his interests is the Golden Mean. His pages include background math and lots of pictures illustrating this concept.

8. This page's author, cited only as Crazy Mike, connects abstract numbers and poetry in his discussion of the Golden Mean.

9. The Golden Mean: Another personal web page with interesting illustrations like the Golden section in the human hand.

10. This Golden Ratio site by an unknown author has lots of graphics and a bibliography for further study.

Books in our library that may be of interest:

Boyer, Carl. A History of Mathematics. New York: John Wiley, 1991. This 700+ page book outlines the major advances in mathematics. Learn how Fibonacci's discoveries fit in with the development of mathematics.

McGuire, Michael. An Eye for Fractals: a Graphic & Photographic Essay. Redword City, CA: Addison-Wesley, 1991. With brief text, graphics and pictures, the author demonstrates that, "Fractal geometry is not just another chapter of mathematics, but one that helps Everyman to see the same old world differently."