Calculators/Mathematics/Fibonacci sequence

Fibonacci sequence

n-th term · first terms · golden ratio

Fibonacci sequence — illustration
Term F10
55
Fₙ / Fₙ₋₁
1.617647
First terms
11235813213455

Each term is the sum of the two preceding ones (Fₙ = Fₙ₋₁ + Fₙ₋₂). The ratio of consecutive terms approaches the golden ratio φ = (1+√5)/2 ≈ 1.618034.

The Fibonacci sequence starts with 1,11, 1, and each next term is the sum of the two preceding ones:

F1=1, F2=1,Fn=Fn−1+Fn−2F_1=1,\ F_2=1,\qquad F_n=F_{n-1}+F_{n-2}

giving 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55…1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55\dots What is fascinating is that the ratio of consecutive terms FnFn−1\dfrac{F_n}{F_{n-1}} approaches the golden ratio:

φ=1+52≈1.618\varphi=\frac{1+\sqrt5}{2}\approx1.618

The sequence and the golden ratio appear in nature — in the arrangement of sunflower seeds, in seashells and in plant branching. Enter the term index (up to 90).

Examples

F₁₀
→ = 55 (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55)
F₂₀ / F₁₉
→ ≈ 1.618034 — very close to φ

Frequently asked questions

What is the golden ratio and how is it related to Fibonacci?+

φ = (1+√5)/2 ≈ 1.618. The ratio of consecutive Fibonacci terms approximates it ever more closely — the further the term, the closer to φ.

Where does the Fibonacci sequence occur in nature?+

In the spiral arrangement of sunflower seeds and pine cones, the petal counts of many flowers, and plant branching — because such an arrangement makes optimal use of space and light.

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