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The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in nature, art, music, geometry, mathematics, economics, and more....
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The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

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Page 1: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The Fibonacci Numbers

A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occurmany times in

nature,

art,

music,

geometry,

mathematics,

economics,

and more....

Page 2: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The Fibonacci Numbers

The numbers are:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

Each Fibonacci number is the sum of the previous two Fibonaccinumbers!

Definition

The nth Fibonacci number is written as Fn.

F3 = 2, F5 = 5, F10 = 55

We have a recursive formula to find each Fibonacci number:

Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2

Page 3: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

What makes these numbers so special?

They occur many times in nature,

Page 4: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

What makes these numbers so special?

They occur many times in nature,

Page 5: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

What makes these numbers so special?

They occur many times in nature, art,

Page 6: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

What makes these numbers so special?

They occur many times in nature, art, architecture, . . .

Page 7: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

white Calla Lily

Page 8: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

euphorbia

Page 9: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

trillium

Page 10: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

columbine

Page 11: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

bloodroot

Page 12: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

black-eyed susan

Page 13: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

shasta daisy

Page 14: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

field daisies

Page 15: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

back of passion flower

Page 16: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

How many petals are on each of these flowers?

front of passion flower

Page 17: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Let’s look at these Fibonacci numbers in nature.

There are exceptions....

fuschia

Page 18: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

What do we see?

Page 19: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

The stamen form spirals:

Page 20: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

How many are there?

Page 21: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

How many are there?

Page 22: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

Not just in daisies. In Bellis perennis:

Page 23: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Looking more closely at the blossom in the center of the flower:

Not just in daisies. In Bellis perennis:

Page 24: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

These numbers occur in other plants as well:

The seed-bearing leaves of a simple pinecone:

Page 25: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

These numbers occur in other plants as well:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 26: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

These numbers occur in other plants as well:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 27: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

These numbers occur in other plants as well:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 28: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

These numbers occur in other plants as well:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 29: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Another pinecone:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 30: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Another pinecone:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 31: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

Another pinecone:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 32: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like cauliflower:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 33: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like cauliflower:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 34: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like cauliflower:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 35: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like romanesque:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 36: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like romanesque:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 37: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like romanesque:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 38: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like pineapples:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 39: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like pineapples:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 40: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like pineapples:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 41: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like pineapples:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 42: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, . . .

In fruits and vegetables, like pineapples:

Find and count the number of spirals:

Page 43: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The Fibonacci Numbers

Let’s examine some interesting properties of these numbers.

The numbers are:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

Each Fibonacci number is the sum of the previous two Fibonaccinumbers!

Let n any positive integer. If Fn is what we use to describe the nth

Fibonacci number, then

Fn = Fn−1 + Fn−2

Page 44: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The Fibonacci Numbers

For example, let’s look at the sum of the first several of thesenumbers.

What is F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 · · · + Fn = ???

Page 45: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

Let’s look at the first few:

F1 + F2 = 1 + 1 = 2

F1 + F2 + F3 = 1 + 1 + 2 = 4

F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 7

F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + F5 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 = 12

F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + F5 + F6 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 = 20

See a pattern?

Page 46: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

It looks like maybe the sum of the first few Fibonacci numbers isone less another Fibonacci number!

But which Fibonacci number?

F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 7 = F6 − 1

The sum of the first 4 Fibonacci numbers is one less the 6th

Fibonacci number!

F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + F5 + F6 = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 = 20 = F8 − 1

The sum of the first 6 Fibonacci numbers is one less the 8th

Fibonacci number!

Page 47: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

It looks like the sum of the first n Fibonacci numbers is one lessthe (n + 2)nd Fibonacci number.

That is,F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − 1

Let’s check the formula, for n = 7:

F1+F2+F3+F4+F5+F6+F7 = 1+1+2+3+5+8+13 = 33 = F9−1

It’s got hope to be true!

Let’s try to prove it!

Page 48: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

Conjecture

For any positive integer n, the Fibonacci numbers satisfy:

F1 + F2 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − 1

Let’s prove this (and then we’ll call it a Theorem.)

Page 49: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

We know F3 = F1 + F2.

So, rewriting this a little:

F1 = F3 − F2

Also: we know F4 = F2 + F3.

So:F2 = F4 − F3

In general:

Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 50: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3 − F2

F2 = F4 − F3

F3 = F5 − F4

F4 = F6 − F5

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn

Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Adding up all the terms on the left sides will give us somethingequal to the sum of the terms on the right sides.

Page 51: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3 − F2

F2 = F4 − F3

F3 = F5 − F4

F4 = F6 − F5

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 52: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4 − F3///

F3 = F5 − F4

F4 = F6 − F5

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 53: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5 − F4///

F4 = F6 − F5

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 54: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5///− F4///

F4 = F6 − F5///

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 55: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5///− F4///

F4 = F6///− F5///

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1 − Fn///

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1

Page 56: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5///− F4///

F4 = F6///− F5///

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1////// − Fn///

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1//////

Page 57: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5///− F4///

F4 = F6///− F5///

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1////// − Fn///

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1//////

F1 + F2 + F3 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − F2

Page 58: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · ·Fn = Fn+2 − 1

F1 = F3///− F2

F2 = F4///− F3///

F3 = F5///− F4///

F4 = F6///− F5///

......

Fn−1 = Fn+1////// − Fn///

+ Fn = Fn+2 − Fn+1//////

F1 + F2 + F3 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − 1

Page 59: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

Trying to prove: F1 + F2 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − 1

We’ve just proved a theorem!!

Theorem

For any positive integer n, the Fibonacci numbers satisfy:

F1 + F2 + F3 + · · · + Fn = Fn+2 − 1

Page 60: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

An example

Recall the first several Fibonacci numbers:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, . . .

What is this sum?

1+1+2+3+5+8+13+21+34+55+89+144 = 377−1 = 376!!

Page 61: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The “even” Fibonacci Numbers

What about the first few Fibonacci numbers with even index:

F2,F4,F6, . . . ,F2n, . . .

Let’s call them “even” Fibonaccis, since their index is even,although the numbers themselves aren’t always even!!

Page 62: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

The “even” Fibonacci Numbers

Some notation: The first “even” Fibonacci number is F2 = 2.

The second “even” Fibonacci number is F4 = 3.

The third “even” Fibonacci number is F6 = 8.

The tenth “even” Fibonacci number is F20 =??.

The nth “even” Fibonacci number is F2n.

Page 63: The Fibonacci Numbers - Sam Houston State Universityldg005/data/mth164/F1.pdf · The Fibonacci Numbers A sequence of numbers (actually, positive integers) that occur many times in

HOMEWORK

Tonight, try to come up with a formula for the sum of the first few“even” Fibonacci numbers.