IN PERSON: Probably the most well-known mathematical sequence is that of the Fibonacci numbers. This lecture-style course explores how these numbers arise in certain mathematical problems as well as in real-world situations. We consider the properties of the Fibonacci numbers and related sequences such as the Lucas numbers. Since study of the Fibonacci numbers leads to the golden ratio, we derive its relationship to the Fibonacci numbers and consider its properties. The course concludes with an overview of how the Fibonacci numbers appear in nature and how we humans utilize the Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio. Students will gain an appreciation for how these mathematical concepts have informed our understanding of nature and have impacted human endeavors in art, architecture and music. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 30.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
Frank Brown celebrated retirement by obtaining an MA in mathematics from East Carolina University. He has been teaching mathematics courses for OLLI since 2016. His previous OLLI course topics included the mathematics of voting, geometric topology, and cryptography.