| General Chat General chat about anything that doesn't fit in another section here |
09-07-2004, 04:26 PM
|
#1
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: W.Yorks England
Posts: 1,266
|
The divine proportion
Heard about this today. Basically, it's a number (1.6xxxxxxxxx) that has links in everything - there are cases of it rearing it's head in all sorts of places such as the proportion of man itself, the integral structure of all plants, and even the galaxy. Here is a extract from a short review of a one of the books describing the phenomenon.
|
Most readers will have at least dim memories from geometry class of the irrational number pi. Theoretical astrophysicist Livio gives pi's overlooked cousin phi its due with this lively account, the first on the subject written for the layperson. Phi is the golden ratio of antiquity (1.6180339887), a never-ending number so lauded for its harmonious qualities that in the 16th century it was dubbed the divine proportion. It is related to phenomena as diverse as the petal arrangements of roses, the breeding patterns of rabbits and the shape of our galaxy. Phi is also claimed to have been crucial in the design of the Great Pyramids, the composition of the Mona Lisa and the construction of Stradivarius violins. Livio (The Accelerating Universe) carefully investigates these and other claims and does not hesitate to debunk myths perpetuated by overzealous enthusiasts he calls "Golden Numberists." This is an engaging history of mathematics as well, addressing such perennial questions as the geometric basis of aesthetic pleasure and the nature of mathematical objects. Useful diagrams and handsome illustrations of works under discussion are amply provided.
|
That doesnt give too much away, but have a dig around - i'm useless at searching for things, but just see what you can find about this mystery dating back to da vinci.
__________________
|
|
|
|
09-08-2004, 11:09 PM
|
#2
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Detroit
Posts: 9,929
|
what you are looking for is the golden ratio
the golden spiral, etc.
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt669/St...ldenratio.html
sounds similar to the natural number... e if i remember correctly
very important in reliability studies
i found this webpage that has some good mathmatical definitions
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/e.html
hope your math skills are at least around alg 2 
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 12:52 AM
|
#3
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Mexico
Posts: 3,544
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 08:22 PM
|
#4
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Detroit
Posts: 9,929
|
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
do you buy into that load of horse shit?
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 08:28 PM
|
#5
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Houston, Tx, learning in Ohio
Posts: 814
|
|
Originally Posted by nthfinity
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
do you buy into that load of horse shit? |
Yeah da vinci code sounds cool but has little to no factual basis
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 08:59 PM
|
#6
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Mexico
Posts: 3,544
|
|
Originally Posted by nthfinity
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
do you buy into that load of horse shit? |
have u read it ??
its a novel not an encyclopedia...
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 09:08 PM
|
#7
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London
Posts: 843
|
What is the book about? I have a lot of good reviews about it, but still haven't got round to reading it!
__________________
"It's not long before Marco arrives, but he's at least five minutes behind an epic wall of noise that's been bouncing off the rock faces like a sonic pinball. Onlookers, of which there are many, seem relieved when the livid red Ferrari skims into view, happier still when they see it's driven by a friendly Italian, and not, as the thunderous sound effects suggested, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Evo #059
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 09:12 PM
|
#8
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto,Canada
Posts: 1,001
|
|
Originally Posted by gottacatchup
|
Originally Posted by nthfinity
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
do you buy into that load of horse shit? |
Yeah da vinci code sounds cool but has little to no factual basis |
The Da vinci code says its based on factual information.......I am reading it right now and its amazing
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
09-09-2004, 09:34 PM
|
#9
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Mexico
Posts: 3,544
|
|
Originally Posted by nurbrun
|
Originally Posted by gottacatchup
|
Originally Posted by nthfinity
|
yeah, read the da vinci code, it gives some explanation of it too
|
do you buy into that load of horse shit? |
Yeah da vinci code sounds cool but has little to no factual basis |
The Da vinci code says its based on factual information.......I am reading it right now and its amazing |
right, the story for sure aint real but some things are 
|
|
|
|
|
10-05-2004, 02:28 AM
|
#10
|
|
Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,562
|
yeah it is an awsome book!!!! really really good. Even if its not true it is still a great read
__________________
Australia. JW Link to Down Under
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
