The Fibonacci sequence is an amazing mathematical pattern found in nature and it can be seen in this pine cone. One layer of this pine cone shows 21 white marks where the seeds had been....and yes, the layer above this had 13 seeds.
The sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55… can be found in plants and animals, from sunflowers to pine cones and from tiger stripes to nautilus shells.
Fibonacci maths activity
Pine cones are often used to make Christmas decorations so why not take a close look first - before you spray it gold, stick on a bow and turn it into a Christmas tree decoration!
- As a starter to this activity ask your class look at these patterns and give the next number in each of these number sequences.
Let children be creative and suggest different rules to test. Write them on the board to try out. Now write in the next number '8'. Go through the rules and remove any that no longer work. Repeat, adding the next number 13.
It is a difficult rule and only a few will get it, adding consecutive numbers from the sequence, but once discovered or seen it is easy to remember.
1, 1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 5+8 =13
It is a difficult rule and only a few will get it, adding consecutive numbers from the sequence, but once discovered or seen it is easy to remember.
1, 1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 5+8 =13
Back to the Christmas cones!
All cones grow in spirals. Start at the base of a cone and use gold or silver (or any colour) pens and follow the spiral as far up as possible. Now count all the spirals that start round the base, both of these cones had 8 spirals - a Fibonacci number!
If you can count the spirals going in the other direction (these were not clear on my cones), you will discover that the number of spirals is the next number in the Fibonacci sequence. If I could see them clearly there would be 13 spirals on these cones.
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How much paper is needed to wrap a Christmas present?
Try using the least amount of paper to wrap each one.
How many ways can a star be drawn?
Using pairs of 2D shapes makes a variety of stars.
12 days of Christmas investigation
How many presents were given in total?
Make a star for Christmas
Folding paper to make a star.
There is a great video clip on YouTube by Vi Hart , she shows how to count the spirals on cones. You can watch the whole thing or start at 1m40s.
Interestingly she draws in the gaps and I coloured the bumps.
If you search the internet for 'images Fibonacci cones' you will get lots of good examples to show your class.
Interestingly she draws in the gaps and I coloured the bumps.
If you search the internet for 'images Fibonacci cones' you will get lots of good examples to show your class.
