Fibonacci Sequence

TELUS World of Science building and the Fibonacci Sequence

Over the years, artists and architects have used the golden ratio to set the proportions of their paintings and sculptures, sometimes on purpose and sometimes by happy accident. Even the TELUS World of Science building incorporates the Fibonacci sequence—on purpose!—creating a connection to the surrounding environment. And to the pine cone.

The Fibonacci Sequence

Leonard Bigollo (aka Fibonacci, "son of good nature") was an Italian mathematician who lived in Pisa, Italy, home of the leaning tower. In the thirteenth century, he wrote a revolutionary book that introduced Europe to Arabic numerals, which allowed merchants and engineers to move away from the awkward system of Roman numerals.

To show just how handy his new system was, Fibonacci created and solved a series of mathematical puzzles. Here's an example:

Take a pair of hypothetical rabbits. Every month, a mature pair of rabbits can produce a pair of babies. These bunnies take two months to grow up and then they too can produce babies. If none of the rabbits die, how many rabbits will you end up with after three months? After six months? After two years?

Month 1: Two adult rabbits (one pair of adults)
Month 2: Two adults and two babies (one pair of adults)
Month 3: Four adults and two babies (two pairs of adults)
Month 4: Six adults and four babies (three pairs of adults)

Continue the puzzle, counting the pairs of adult rabbits at each step, and you'll get the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on.

Fibonacci Fizz

(For grown-ups only)

Tired of rum and eggnog? Make the Fibonacci Fizz this year's holiday drink.

Combine the following:

8 parts Celebratory Bubbly
5 parts Pomegranate Juice
3 parts Lemon Juice
2 parts St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1 part Lemon Bitters
1 part Sugar Cube
0 part Anything sour, flat or non-engaging
Created by spirit advisor Justin Tisdall