Year 9 Maths – Exploring the Fibonacci Sequence
Year 9 students have recently begun a new unit on sequences, where they are exploring different types of number patterns and how mathematics can be used to create beautiful designs.
One of the highlights of the unit has been investigating the Fibonacci sequence. Students learned that in this sequence, each number is found by adding the two previous numbers together (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…). They then used these numbers to construct squares with side lengths that match the sequence.
By carefully drawing the squares next to each other on squared paper, students created a growing pattern. Inside each square they then drew a quarter-circle arc, which gradually formed the famous Fibonacci spiral.
This activity allowed pupils to:
- Explore number patterns in a visual way
- Practise accurate mathematical drawing and measuring
- See how mathematics appears in nature, art and design
Students really enjoyed seeing how a simple sequence of numbers can be used to create such an impressive geometric pattern. The finished spirals looked fantastic and demonstrated both excellent precision and creativity.
In the real world, the spiral appears because many natural systems grow proportionally, each new part grows relative to the previous size. This type of growth often produces a logarithmic spiral like the Fibonacci spiral.
Shells and Marine Life:
Some shells grow in spirals that expand but keep the same shape as the organism grows.
- Nautilus shells
- Snail shells
- Ammonite fossils
Mrs Bennett
Mathematics Department
