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The Story of Phi: The World's Most Astonishing Number

Ken Follett

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Published in The Golden Ratio: The Story Of PHI The World S Most Astonishing Number

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The golden ratio, often represented by the Greek letter Phi (Φ),is a special number that has been studied and admired for centuries. It is often found in nature and art, and has been used to create some of the most beautiful and enduring works of human creativity.

The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number

by Mario Livio

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	51280 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages

In his book The Story of Phi, author Mario Livio explores the history and applications of this fascinating number. He begins by tracing Phi's origins in ancient Greece, where it was first discovered by the mathematician Pythagoras. Pythagoras believed that Phi was a divine proportion, and he used it to create his famous theorem, which states that the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Phi continued to be studied by mathematicians throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and it was eventually adopted by artists and architects as a way to create harmonious and visually pleasing designs. The golden ratio can be found in the proportions of the Parthenon in Athens, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

In the 20th century, Phi was rediscovered by scientists, who found that it appears in a wide variety of natural phenomena. For example, the ratio of the length of a snail's shell to its width is approximately Phi. The golden ratio also appears in the arrangement of leaves on plants, the spiral shape of galaxies, and even the human body.

The Story of Phi is a fascinating and informative exploration of one of the most important and mysterious numbers in the universe. Livio's book is a must-read for anyone interested in mathematics, nature, art, or the history of science.

Here are some additional facts about Phi:

Phi is an irrational number, meaning that it cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers.
Phi is approximately equal to 1.618.
Phi is often called the "golden ratio" because it is believed to be the most aesthetically pleasing proportion.
Phi has been used in art and architecture for centuries to create harmonious and visually pleasing designs.
Phi appears in a wide variety of natural phenomena, from the arrangement of leaves on plants to the spiral shape of galaxies.

Phi is a truly remarkable number with a long and fascinating history. It is a number that has inspired artists, scientists, and mathematicians for centuries. The Story of Phi is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this amazing number.

The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number

by Mario Livio

4.5 out of 5