Final Remarks
Some Observations:
- For an idealized model for the the distribution of seeds
generated at a central core, a
relative angle from one to the next given by the golden ratio
f
provides the most uniform spacing because of a unique mathematical
property of f.
- The continued fraction expansion of an irrational number
carries information about how closely the number can be
approximated by rationals of small denominator.
- Among all irrational numbers f
minimizes the rate of approximations by rationals. This is why
it optimizes the distribution of seeds from a central source in
our simple model. There
exists a mathematical proof of this.
- Both the Rotating Gun and the Farey Series applets have
tremendous potential for investigation:
- The nature of periodicity; the important role of the denominator
in a reduced fraction.
- The meaning of scale.
- Much research is still going into the biophysical mechanisms that
are responsible for the formation of phyllotactic patterns.
- In the abstract mathematical world, the golden ratio and its
properties are strikingly beautiful. It is also pleasing that this transient
physical world provides us with some visible representations of this
beauty. Thank you.
|