Golden Ratio

The division of a line so the whole relates to the larger part as the larger part to the smaller.

Specifications & Metrics

symbol

φ

approx

1.61803398874989…

Core Principles & Analysis

• Euclid called it extreme and mean ratio in the Elements, Book VI.
• It is the limit of ratios of consecutive Fibonacci numbers.
• Its square is itself plus one: the only positive number with that self-similar property.