When I learned about this math ratio, it
changed my life. Okay, so I'm going to explain in this video a math and design
phenomenon called the Golden Ratio. It's also referred to as "Phi." So what is the
Golden Ratio? Well, to help explain it, I'm going to put out the sequence of numbers
called the Fibonacci sequence, which is really just the Golden Ratio in a
sequenced, numeric form. Now to arrive at this Golden Ratio sequence of numbers,
we just need to follow a basic math formula. And I'm not a math person, so
we're just going to keep this very simple. Okay, so you just start with 0+1=1. And now to get to the next number in the sequence, you take the
sum of that simple equation and add it to the last number in the equation. So 1+1=2 and then 1+2 = 3. And it's
around this point that the ratio actually starts showing up. As we
continue to do this formula, we start arriving at a set of numbers: 2, 3, 5, 8...
and you see what we're doing-- we're adding the sum of the equation to the
last number in the equation, and we arrive at this sequence of numbers.
It's interesting that this sequence and ratio actually remains consistent no
matter how long you follow this mathematical formula. And so this
sequence continues to expand outward around the rate and the ratio of 1 to
1.6. Now to help give you an idea of what a 1 to 1.6 ratio is compare it to a 1 to 1
ratio so to make a 1 to 1.6 ratio, you just envision a little more than half of the
initial line added to the line of the other side. Alright so this ratio 1 to 1.6 This is the ratio that's called
the Golden Ratio a 1 to 1.6 ratio. So this is what the Golden Ratio looks like as a
rectangle 1 to 1.6. And if we were to start making incremental Golden Ratio points
within that, we can get an idea of what a spiral looks like when it expands
outward at the same measured sequence. Now this is all well and good, but what
does that have to do with everyday life? Well, a lot actually. And that's because
when we look to nature, we see that so many things flourish when they go to the
golden ratio design and when they follow this sequence. Growing and expanding to
the rate of the golden ratio spiral allows the maximum amount of rain to be
directed down to the roots of many plants. And remarkably when you study
nature, you see the golden Fibonacci numbers like 3, 5, 8, 13, all of that again
and again in the seed patterns and spirals of plants, as well as in the number of
petals. Next time you're bored and have a
sunflower, try counting the number of seeds in the sunflower spiral-- the Golden
Ratio! Or maybe try something else with a spiral, like a pinecone or pineapple. So
we can spend all day counting the seeds of flowers, and plants, and fruit... I mean,
you get the idea. But we don't just see this Golden Ratio sequence on a small
scale. This ratio is the mathematical sequence in the spirals of our storms.
Tornadoes, hurricanes-- these all spin in this golden sequence 1 to 1.6! Even the
waves can be measured using this ratio. But it doesn't stop there-- modern
technology continues to be mystified by the far-reaching scope of the Golden
Ratio. From the alignment of the planets to the spirals of our Milky Way galaxy,
as well as the spirals of other ratios of planets.
Now let's take this closer to home, I want you to hold out your arm and
look at the distance between your shoulder and your elbow. And then from
your elbow to your fingertips. Notice how your elbow from your shoulder
to your elbow is "1" and then from your elbow to your fingertips is "1.6." Pretty crazy huh? but doesn't stop there.
Now take that further the distance from your fingertips to your wrist is "1" and
from your wrist to your elbow is "1.6" Keep it going-- from the
furthest tip of your finger to the bottom of your fingers is "1" and from
the bottom of your fingers to your wrist is "1.6." Now check out the
spacing of your knuckles 1 to 1.6. Are you getting freaked out yet? Think about this:
the head to your belly button "1" and then belly button to your feet "1.6." From your toes to your knees, and from your knees to your hips-- Golden
Ratio! Ever wonder why your two front teeth are so much bigger? Golden ratio!
The pupils of your eyes-- I mean, you name it, your whole body is the symphony of
the Golden Ratio! In fact, as you are listening to this video, the sound waves
are passing through your ear in a perfect golden spiral. Scientists have
discovered that the golden ratio pattern is necessary for the human brain, the
neural system, our sense organs, and our lung system. The golden ratio sequence is
even in the helix of our DNA, and it forms the very rhythm of our heartbeat
pattern! This is pretty amazing if you ask me! The
universe is an incredible place, and to think that these beautiful intricacies
of the world all hang on a stacked, razor edge with the incomprehensible
fine-tuning of all these precise constants and quantities which allow the
universe to begin to exist. I mean it's unfathomable! No wonder we
are a naturally bent to worship a higher creative power. I mean, we are fearfully
and wonderfully made, and we live in a universe that is designed and hardwired
to be life permitting. And speaking of which, I think it's interesting that the
Golden Ratio also comes up in the ancient Biblical texts. Scholars have
noted that wouldn't you consider design measurements of things like
Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant, the Golden Ratio is an exact match to
the measurements. Pretty interesting... Okay, so we've seen how the Golden Ratio is
embedded into our life and even into our own heartbeat. So naturally, it's going to
affect our aesthetics and the arts. It is believed that the Greeks used the
Golden Ratio to achieve ideal acoustics, and many instruments are actually
designed with the ratio. When you look at the amount of black keys and white keys
on a piano, it should be no surprise that you see
the Golden Ratio. And that's because the musical scales and notes align
with the Fibonacci sequence. So scientists, mathematicians, and artisans
have been aware of the Golden Ratio and have been incorporating it into their
architectural and artistic designs throughout history. For some reason,
designs tend to look better when composed and designed with the Golden
Ratio. Look at iconic ideal Greek temples like the Parthenon in Athens-- you can see
that they use the ratio again and again. Painters have also been incorporating
the golden ratio into their artistic designs because it gives the composition
a "je ne sais quoi" ("I don't know what.") Leonardo da Vinci was obsessed with it,
so was Michelangelo. Even in the 20th century, you see the ratio being used in
painting-- whether it be in the dimensions of the canvas, or the placement of the
focal point. And by the way, the Golden Ratio is one of the reasons artists
don't like to line everything up in the center. But you don't have to go to
Greece or to the Louvre to appreciate the Golden Ratio in human design. I mean,
just look around your house or go to the grocery store.
The golden ratio is used in product design, logos, and in branding all the
time. It's a ratio that, for some reason, is pleasing on the eye, and it can be
a great template for solving multiple design problems. I remember when I first
started learning about the golden ratio, I began to see it everywhere, and it's
really remarkable with how it comes up in nature and in the design world, and
and how artists can greatly improve their designs by using its sequence. So
now that you know about this mysterious sequence that pops up again and again,
now go out, and I want to challenge you to go and look and find places where you
see this ratio. You don't necessarily have to take around a measuring
stick, but but take pictures, and notice where you see this ratio come up
in design and in nature. And I think you will be surprised-- and perhaps, even, this
newfound awareness it might even change your life.
