DEFINITION
Fibonacci sequence
Part of the Mathematics glossary:
The Fibonacci sequence is a set of numbers that starts with a one or a zero, followed
by a one, and proceeds based on the rule that each number (called a Fibonacci
number) is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers. If the Fibonacci
sequence is denoted F ( n ), where n is the first term in the sequence, the following
equation obtains for n = 0, where the first two terms are defined as 0 and 1 by
convention:
F (0) = 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 ...
In some texts, it is customary to use n = 1. In that case the first two terms are
defined as 1 and 1 by default, and therefore:
F (1) = 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 ...
The Fibonacci sequence is named for Leonardo Pisano (also known as Leonardo
Pisano or Fibonacci ), an Italian mathematician who lived from 1170 - 1250.
Fibonacci used the arithmetic series to illustrate a problem based on a pair of
breeding rabbits:
"How many pairs of rabbits will be produced in a year, beginning with a single pair, if
in every month each pair bears a new pair which becomes productive from the
second month on?" The result can be expressed numerically as: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13,
21, 34 ...
Fibonacci numbers are of interest to biologists and physicists because they are
frequently observed in various natural objects and phenomena. The branching
patterns in trees and leaves, for example, and the distribution of seeds in a raspberry
are based on Fibonacci numbers.
A Sanskrit grammarian, Pingala, is credited with the first mention of the sequence of
numbers, sometime between the fifth century B.C. and the second or third century
A.D. Since Fibonacci introduced the series to Western civilization, it has had a high
profile from time to time. Recently, in The Da Vinci Code , for example, the Fibonacci
sequence is part of an important clue. Another application, the Fibonacci poem , is a
verse in which the progression of syllable numbers per line follows Fibonacci's
pattern.This was last updated in July 2007Posted by: Margaret Rouse
Related Terms
DEFINITIONS

Leonardo Fibonacci (Pisano)
- Leonardo Pisano, also known as Fibonacci (for filius Bonacci, meaning son of Bonacci), was an Italian
mathematician who lived from 1170 - 1250. (WhatIs.com)

Fibonacci poem (or Fib)
- A Fibonacci poem (or Fib) is a multiple-line verse based on the Fibonacci sequence so that the number of
syllables in each line equals the total number of syllables in the preceding two lines. (WhatIs.com)
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Fibonacci-sequence
Fibonacci poem (or Fib)
Part of the Mathematics glossary:
A Fibonacci poem (or Fib) is a multiple-line verse based on the Fibonacci sequence so
that the number of syllables in each line equals the total number of syllables in the
preceding two lines.
The Fibonacci sequence begins with either zero or one, followed by one, and
proceeds based on the rule that each number (called a Fibonacci number ) is equal
to the sum of the preceding two numbers. Technically, the first line in a Fibonacci
poem with n = 0 has no syllables, and therefore constitutes a moment of silence. This
is an important consideration, just as standard syllable and rhythm patterns are
critical to other forms of verse such as haiku, limerick, and iambic pentameter. (If n =
1, then there is no initial moment of silence.)
Here's an example:
What
is
a Fib?
A poem
mathematical
Syllables are arranged in lines
according to Fibonacci's sequence of numbers:
One, one, two, three, five, eight, thirteen, twenty-one, thirty-four, fifty-five and so on.
Because the lines have ever-increasing syllables, the composition of long Fibonacci
poems is very challenging. As a result, most have only six or seven lines. The last
syllable in each line may rhyme with the last syllable in one or more other lines,
although rhyme is not a requirement.
Fibs have become popular among geeks as well as literati. According to some
enthusiasts, this new poetic structure has the capacity to spark communication
among mathematicians, physicists, chemists, biologists and poets, despite the gulfs
that often seem to prevail between their disciplines in other respects.
The Fibonacci poem, like the mathematical concept it's based on, is named for
Leonardo Pisano (1170 - 1250), an Italian mathematician also known as Fibonacci .
The poetry form probably goes back much earlier than Fibonacci. Fibonacci is said to
have found instances of his sequence used in Sanskrit poetry of the 12th century.
The sequence itself was reportedly discovered by the Sanskrit grammarian Pingala, in
500 BC. Much more recently, Gregory K. Pincus coined the term Fib in his blog , to
refer to a six-line, twenty syllable version of the form. Pincus elicited attempts from
his readers, sparking interest in the Fib, a mention onSlashdot , and a great number
of examples proliferating online as a result.
This was last updated in March 2011Posted by: Margaret Rouse
Leonardo Fibonacci (Pisano)
Leonardo Pisano, also known as Fibonacci ( for filius Bonacci , meaning son of Bonacci ), was an Italian
mathematician who lived from 1170 - 1250. Fibonacci is sometimes called the greatest European
mathematician of the middle ages.
As a boy, Fibonacci travelled, with his father, to North Africa, where he learned the Arabic numeral
system. Subsequently, Fibonacci studied under leading Arabic mathematicians. Fibonacci is best
known for introducing mathematical concepts he learned in the Middle East to the Western world,
including the decimal system and theFibonacci sequence , a series of numbers beginning with zero or
one and proceeding in such a manner that each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers.
Prize-winning Fibbers!

AAA
Part of the Personal computing glossary:
Finest Fibs
We've come to the end of the Fib contest and contest judge Greg Pincus has
made his selections -- not, I might add, without a great deal of difficulty. We had
a LOT of great entries! And now, without further ado (drumroll, please!), it
gives us great pleasure to announce our winners:
Penny Phillips was selected the best Fibber. Penny, we'll get the Web cams on their
way to you. Runners-up, in no particular order: Tom O'Connor, Donna Gagnon, Joe
Hullender and John Petersen. You get neat prizes like coffee mugs and t-shirts.
Here are the winning entries:
First place:
Penny Phillips
We
now
have learned
for certain
after many trials
that repeatedly pushing 'print'
will not fix the problem that the printer is having.
The Runners-Up:
Tom O' Connor:
Night.
Dark.
Sleepless,
Just sitting,
I should be coding,
But the Fibonacci calls me!
Donna Gagnon:
words
can
make me
hot and then
something inside cries
'why don't you own a web cam, eh?'
Joe Hullender:
bit
byte
micro
computer
forty years ago
I did my work with a slide rule!
John Peterson:
Mouse
Clicks.
Keyboard
Fingers tap.
Fans hum and things beep
Technology sounds fill the air
Sweet and melodic like a symphony to us geeks.
The main Fib page has lots more.
Just because the contest is over there's no reason to stop Fibbing. Inspired to write a
geeky Fib? We'd love to post it, along with links to your blog or Web site, if you'd
like.Here's our definition and another example, to get you started.
Send your Fib(s) to editor@whatis.com .
We'll post your Fib online along with your name (let us know if you want to be
anonymous).
This was last updated in May 2006
Posted by: Margaret Rouse