Leonardo Fibonacci

LEONARDO FIBONACCI

CONNECTION TO REAL LIFEThe Fibonacci sequence’s connection to real life is evident throughout nature. Fibonacci numbers apply to the growth of living things, such as the petals on a flower and the spirals on a snail shell.

BIOGRAPHYFibonacci was one of the most talented number theorists of the middle ages. He was born in Italy in approximately 1170 and he died in 1250. With his father, a wealthy merchant, he traveled to North Africa, where he was educated.

ACCOMPLISHMENT: The Fibonacci SequenceThe sequence of numbers: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21Each number equals the sum of the two numbers before it. The sequence can be represented with this spiral.

THE TIME PERIOD: The Middle Ages Merchants were given a lot of autonomy to travel, so Fibonacci could move freely throughout the Byzantine Empire and Africa. European study of secular fields, like mathematics, literature, and science, was limited, because people focused primarily on fulfilling their religious expectations. Fibonacci’s lifetime was also the time of the Crusades, bitter holy ways fought by Catholics to regain the holy land from Muslims. Arabic concepts were taken in warily, making it difficult for Fibonacci to promote the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. Because of the Crusades, interactions with countries outside of Europe increased, leading to more trade and expansion of knowledge.

INTERESTING FACTSHe popularized the Hindu-Arabic number system in Europe. His real last name was Pisano. He wrote many impressive works. One book, called Liber Abaci, meaning “Book of Calculations,” introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system, and dealt with many different types of linear equations. Another novel, Liber Quadratorum, the "Book of Squares,” makes important contributions to number theory.

In any daisy, the combination of counterclockwise and clockwise spirals generally consists of successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence.

By: Ciara O'Riordan