The Golden Ratio: the Story of Phi, the World's Most Astonishing Number.MARIO LIVIO Mario Livio (born 1945) is an astrophysicist and an author of works that popularize science and mathematics. He is currently Senior Astrophysicist at the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute. More than 2,000 years ago, Euclid defined the number phi--1.6180339887--and linked it to the construction of the pentagram. Since then, this never-ending, never-repeating, irrational number irrational number Among the real numbers, any of those that cannot be represented as quotients of integers. In decimal form, irrational numbers are represented by nonterminating, nonrepeating decimals. has been called the Golden Number or the Golden Ratio and linked to patterns ranging from the petal arrangement of roses to the composition of the "Mona Lisa Mona Lisa La Gioconda, da Vinci’s enchanting portrait. [Ital. Art: Wallechinsky, 190] See : Beauty, Lasting Mona Lisa enigmatic smile beguiles and bewilders. [Ital. ." Astrophysicist Livio takes an invigorating in·vig·or·ate tr.v. in·vig·or·at·ed, in·vig·or·at·ing, in·vig·or·ates To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate: "A few whiffs of the raw, strong scent of phlox invigorated her" look at this ubiquitous number by examining the mathematical, aesthetic, and metaphysical qualities attributed to phi over the centuries. He also profiles the scientists and artists who have harnessed phi for a variety of purposes. He gives special attention to phi's appearance in natural patterns in the world. Broadway, 2002, 294 p., hardcover, $24.95. |
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