Home > Science Fact Finder > Mathematics, Numbers, and Computers - What Are Fibonacci Numbers?
Mathematics, Numbers, and Computers - What Are Fibonacci Numbers?
What are Fibonacci numbers?
Fibonacci numbers are an unending sequence of numbers where each (except for the initial 2 numbers in the sequence) is the sum of the two preceding numbers. A Fibonacci sequence is as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 .... These numbers were first described by Italian mathematician Leonard Fibonacci (C.1180-C.1250) , also known as Leonard of Pisa, in his famous book Liber abaci (The Book of the Calculator). This book was first published in 1202, with revised editions appearing in later years.
The patterns found in Fibonacci numbers play a major role in the solution of all kinds of mathematical problems. Fibonacci numbers also, quite astonishingly, provide a mathematical model of a pattern that can be seen in many real world phenomena. For instance, Fibonacci numbers have been shown to correlate with the birthrate of rabbits and honeybees, the patterns of spiderwebs, the shapes of...
[The entire page is 205 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
-
Mathematics
- What is the most enduring mathematical work of all time?
- Who discovered the formula for the area of a triangle?
- What are the common mathematical formulas for area?
- What are the common mathematical formulas for volume?
- When did the concept of square roof originate?
- What is the probability of a successful triple play occurring in a single baseball game?
- What is the Pythagorean theorem?
- How is Pascal's triangle used?
- What is the difference between a median, a mean, and a mode?
- How many feet are on each side of an acre that is square?
- What are the Platonic solids?
- What are "Napier's bones"?
- Who invented the slide rule?
- How long has the abacus been used? Is it still used?
- How is "casting out nines" used to check the results of addition or multiplication?
- What is Zeno's paradox?
-
Numbers
- What is the value of pi out to 30 digits past the decimal point?
- What is the largest prime number presently known?
- What are Roman numerals?
- Is it possible to count to infinity?
- What is a perfect number?
- How large is a googol?
- Why is seven considered by some to be a magical number?
- What are Fibonacci numbers?
-
Computers
- Who invented the computer?
- Who was the first programmer?
- What is a computer program?
- What does DOS stand for?
- What is meant by "fifth generation computers"? What are the other four generations?
- What is a fuzzy search?
- What is a silicon chip?
- Are any devices being developed to replace silicon chips?
- How is a byte defined?
- How is a hard disk different from a floppy disk?
- Why does a computer floppy disk have to be "formatted"?
- What is the lifespan of a CD-ROM disc?
- What is a pixel?
- Who invented the computer mouse?
- What is a computer "virus" and how is it spread?
- Where did the term "bug" originate?
- What is e-mail?
- What is a hacker?
- How do you position yourself correctly in front of a computer screen?
- What was the first successful video-arcade game?
- Should a personal computer be turned off when not in use?
