In our most recent math unit we learned about radicals, and more specifically the golden ratio: most easily recognized as the ratio 1:16. The Golden Ratio is found everywhere in nature, in architecture, and in great works of art.  When humans look at objects that contain the Golden Ratio, we find them to be very aesthetically pleasing.

Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”

Giovanni Bellini’s “Madonna in the Meadow”

At the start of the unit we learned about radicals and did a lot of worksheets on the basics of numbers, exponents, and radicals.

Then we started focusing on how math is used in art to create patterns and appeal to our sense of aesthetics. We did an in-class activity where we tried to find 5 different objects in our classroom that followed the 1:16 ratio.

This is when we were introduced to our project: create a work of art, music, architecture, or exposition of nature that uses the golden ratio or the Fibonacci pattern. From the second we were introduced to the project I wanted to do mine about nature. I thought it was fascinating that living things follow a math ratio. At first, I wasn’t sure on how I was to execute the project. I started thinking about drawing an art piece on a canvas, but then I realized that I wasn’t terribly artistically gifted. I figured that if I wanted to make this project as professional as I wanted it to be, it has to make it digitally. After a lot of more brainstorming and going back to the project requirements and rules I came up with my project pitch: I was going to make 2 scenes of the Fibonacci sequence in nature, photoshop and edit different creatures and objects in, and compare the area of circles with the golden ratio. One of my scenes would be on land, showcasing land and water animals and objects, and another scene showcasing a spiral galaxy.

I started by gathering my animals and objects from the internet and researching about them from various different websites.  This one, in particular, was my favorite.

Then I edited the photos by removing the backgrounds on an app called Photoshop Pro, and then I sent them to another app called Pages. Editing the layers of pictures and the math behind them took a long time.

Once I was finished making the slides I printed them out and made a golden ratio scrapbook with all my work.

I think my project turned out very well and I was proud that I stuck with one idea at the beginning of the project to the end. The next day the class presented their projects and received marks based off of the math and art. I was proud of the marks I received.