Difference between revisions of "Phi"

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The first fifteen digits of <math>\phi</math> in decimal representation are <math>1.61803398874989</math>
 
The first fifteen digits of <math>\phi</math> in decimal representation are <math>1.61803398874989</math>
  
==Other useages==
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==Other Usages==
 
* <math>\phi</math> is also commonly used to represent [[Euler's totient function]].
 
* <math>\phi</math> is also commonly used to represent [[Euler's totient function]].
 
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 00:07, 19 December 2007

Phi (in lowercase, either $\phi$ or $\varphi$; capitalized, $\Phi$) is the 21st letter in the Greek alphabet. It is used frequently in mathematical writing, often to represent the constant $\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$. (The Greek letter tau ($\tau$) was also used for this purpose in pre-Renaissance times.)

Use

$\phi$ appears in a variety of different mathematical contexts: it is the limit of the ratio of successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence, as well as the positive solution of the quadratic equation $x^2-x-1=0$.

Golden ratio

$\phi$ is also known as the Golden Ratio. It was commonly believed by the Greeks to be the most aesthetically pleasing ratio between side lengths in a rectangle. The Golden Rectangle is a rectangle with side lengths of 1 and $\phi$; it has a number of interesting properties.

The first fifteen digits of $\phi$ in decimal representation are $1.61803398874989$

Other Usages

See also