Terme de Glossaire

Golden number

The golden number has fascinated people for centuries. It can be found in the construction of buildings, such as the Parthenon in Athens or Cheops’ pyramid. It has been studied by mathematicians since ancient times, because of its recurring presence in geometry. It is present in certain works of art, such Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man. It is also omnipresent in nature where it is hidden, for instance, in the scales of a pine cone or the stamen of a sunflower.

In mathematics, the golden number, written φ, is defined as being equal to the greatest of the two solutions to the equation x²+x+1=0 which is equal approximatively to 1,618.

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