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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio

Learn the mathematics behind the Fibonacci numbers, the golden ratio, and their relationship to each other. These topics may not be taught as part of a typical math curriculum, but they contain many fascinating results that are still accessible to an advanced high school student. The course culminates in an exploration of the Fibonacci numbers appearing unexpectedly in nature, such as the number of spirals in the head of a sunflower. Download the lecture notes from the link https://www.math.hkust.edu.hk/~machas/fibonacci.pdf Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/VWXeDFyB1hc

Status: Advanced Mathematics
Status: Geometry
BeginnerCourse9 hours

Featured reviews

AK

5.0Reviewed Mar 22, 2019

Absolutely loved the content discussed in this course! It was challenging but totally worth the effort. Seeing how numbers, patterns and functions pop up in nature was a real eye opener.

CP

5.0Reviewed Jul 18, 2020

Took me awhile to get in the groove — age 76 — but the little gray cells made the grade. Thank you for a well-organized, clearly presented course.

JR

5.0Reviewed Jul 12, 2020

Someone has said that God created the integers; all the rest is the work of man. After seeing how the Fibonacci numbers play out in nature, I am not so sure about that. A very enjoyable course.

DT

5.0Reviewed Apr 24, 2025

Had to finish it quicker as it was very interesting to follow the professor. Learning was like a melody! I enjoyed as an Architect and will definitely continue to immerse in this topic.

AR

5.0Reviewed Jan 13, 2021

Very interesting. Much more math heavy than I was expecting, and would very hard to follow if you don't have at least first year university maths.

ED

5.0Reviewed Sep 14, 2022

Honestly speaking I didn't know that math could be so beautiful. Surely it was a great experience and I had a lot of fun learning it. Great course!!

DR

5.0Reviewed Apr 6, 2023

I had a grat experience in learning Fibonacci, Lucas sequences and golden ratio in very easy and simple way. My hearty thanks to the professor.

XA

5.0Reviewed Jul 7, 2021

​A short and interesting course that gives you exposure to some types of university math. Also a great topic that shows some of the wierd and unexpected ways that math is beautiful.

UB

4.0Reviewed Jun 5, 2018

This course blends the rational thinking of mathematics and the aesthetics of art in nature. Enjoyed it. Thanks Coursera and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

PK

5.0Reviewed May 31, 2020

This was the fourth course of me with Prof Jeffrey. i am really very thankful to our beloved prof and also thanks to The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

BS

5.0Reviewed Jun 24, 2020

The course is concise, to the point and very interesting. Though it looks easy at first sight, without practice, you cannot complete it. Thank you, it was great fun.

SB

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2020

this course made mathematics fun and I gained enlightened concerning how mathematics show up in nature, and how to interpret such scenes. I recommend to attend such courses-- Thank you

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 396

Vishal Gupta
5.0
Reviewed Dec 3, 2018
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Anudha Chitresha Kanaheraarachchi
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Reviewed Jan 3, 2020
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5.0
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