Patterns In Nature | Maury Covington Jr. | TEDxCSUF

Summary

In this presentation, Maury explores the Fibonacci sequence, Phi (1.618), and their profound connection to geometry, nature, and mathematics. He explains how these patterns appear in natural structures like flowers, pinecones, and galaxies, as well as in human-made designs such as the golden rectangle. Maury highlights how spirals, fractals, and specific geometrical shapes like pentagons and hexagons govern the natural world’s efficiency and growth. He concludes by advocating for integrating these universal patterns into architecture and design for sustainability, reflecting nature’s inherent order and efficiency.

Takeaways

• 📏 The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the previous two, and it has applications in geometry, mathematics, and nature.
• 🔢 The golden ratio (Phi) is 1.618, an irrational number, and is used to create shapes like the golden rectangle, which is found in nature and art.
• 🌪️ Spirals are the most common natural shape, seen in galaxies, pinecones, storms, and even within the human body, like sweat pores.
• 🌸 Many flowers have Fibonacci numbers of petals, with examples including daisies and sunflowers, showcasing nature’s use of mathematical patterns.
• 🌿 Edible plants often have five petals, which correlates with the Phi ratio and the geometric shape of the pentagon, a recurring theme in nature.
• 🌲 Fractals, which are infinite self-replicating patterns, occur in natural phenomena like lightning, trees, and veins, all following specific growth rates tied to Phi.
• ❄️ Snowflakes form hexagonal shapes, and this pattern can be explained through the geometry of platonic solids, like the octahedron, as theorized by Kepler.
• 🛠️ The hexagon represents structure in nature, appearing in honeycombs, turtle shells, and even the north pole of Saturn, offering efficient building and tiling capabilities.
• 📐 The pentagon symbolizes growth, while the hexagon represents structure; both shapes illustrate how nature uses geometry for maximum efficiency.
• 🏛️ Ancient structures were built using the Phi ratio, and modern sustainable architecture could benefit from aligning designs with nature’s patterns, promoting efficiency and harmony.

Q & A

What is the Fibonacci sequence, and how is it generated?

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers that goes on forever, generated by adding the two preceding numbers to get the next one. It starts with 0 and 1, and then each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. For example, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on.

What is the relationship between the Fibonacci sequence and the golden rectangle?

The Fibonacci sequence helps build the golden rectangle, which has dimensions of 1 to 1.618 (Phi). By using the Fibonacci numbers to construct squares within the rectangle, a spiral can be drawn through them, illustrating how the sequence relates to geometric shapes.

Why is the spiral shape significant in nature?

The spiral is the most common shape found in nature, appearing on a grand scale in galaxies and a small scale in things like pinecones, storms, and flowers. It represents nature’s most efficient way of filling space, following a pattern based on the Fibonacci sequence and Phi.

How does nature utilize the Fibonacci sequence in the arrangement of petals on flowers?

Flowers typically have a Fibonacci number of petals. For instance, many flowers have 3, 5, or 8 petals, while some varieties of daisies can have 55, 89, or even 144 petals, all of which are Fibonacci numbers.

What is the significance of 222.5 degrees in plant growth?

In certain plants, like artichokes, celery, and sunflowers, leaves grow around the stem at a 222.5-degree angle. This angle is linked to the golden ratio because if you subtract it from 360 degrees, you get 137.5 degrees, which relates back to the proportions of the golden rectangle.

How does the pentagon relate to the Phi ratio in nature?

The pentagon and the pentagram personify the Phi ratio, as their dimensions reflect Phi in multiple ways. Many edible plants exhibit this pattern, as most have flowers with five petals, another manifestation of the Phi ratio in nature.

What is a fractal, and how does it differ from classical geometry?

A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself at different scales, and it is not defined by classical geometry. Unlike traditional shapes, fractals continue repeating in an infinite loop when you zoom in. They exist and grow based on a particular growth rate, which is also governed by the Phi ratio.

How did Johannes Kepler describe the formation of snowflakes?

Kepler described the formation of snowflakes as matter being formed through the prism of an octahedral polyhedron, a geometric structure. He saw the hexagonal shape of snowflakes as emerging from this three-dimensional structure, offering a unique perspective on how natural forms arise.

Why are hexagons used in nature for structural purposes?

Hexagons are used for structural purposes in nature because they can tile flat without gaps, making them efficient for building. Examples include the honeycomb in beehives, the pattern on a giraffe’s skin, and the hexagonal cloud formation at Saturn’s north pole.

What does the speaker suggest about using the Phi ratio in modern infrastructure?

The speaker suggests that using the Phi ratio in modern infrastructure would reflect nature’s patterns and create a more sustainable, efficient design. Buildings and structures based on the Phi ratio would fit into nature's existing framework, offering a timeless and efficient approach.