Q 301. Golden Ration or Phi is an irrational number (=1.618). This rather ordinary looking number is present everywhere in nature and is extensively used by designers. What is its relevance and give examples of its applicability in business.
(One providing maximum number of correct examples will be the winner)

 

 

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Let us consider two numbers a and b where a is greater than b. If the ratio of the sum of these numbers (i.e. a+b) to the larger number (i.e. a) is same as the ratio of the numbers (i.e a is to be), then these two numbers are said to be in a Golden Ratio.

 

Golden Ratio => (a+b) / a = a / b

 

This is denoted by Greek letter phi ( or ). This ratio comes to an irrational number = 1.618

 

Applicability of Golden Ratio is found in 

1. Nature - sunflower, position of leaves

2. Architecture

3. Art

4. Music

5. Technical Analysis of Stocks

6. Design Thinking - laptop screens, mobile screen size

7. Book layouts and publishing

8. Logo designs - Twitter and Apple

9. Computer algorithms

10. Mathematics - fibonacci series

11. Geometry - spiral shapes

Golden Ratio is also known as the golden mean,golden section, divine proportion. 

 

The golden number is 1.61803399 is denoted by the greek letter phi.  When a line has 2 parts one is short and the other is long . If the long part is divided by the short part and is equal to the whole length of the line divided by the long part it is the golden ratio.

 

 

The Actual Value is :

 

1.61803398874989484820.....

 

Golden Ratio is largely used in design :- 

 

1.Website Font Size -  Golden ratio is used to define the size of  the headline or the text . This provides a symmetry to the text and gives aesthetic value to the writing as well as ensures that its easily readable.

 

2.Cropping of Image 

3. Logo development 

4. Product design uses this concept 

5.Artistic composition and historic monuments also follow this .Example Taj Mahal,Pyramid also follows this.

 

The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio found almost anywhere, like nature, architecture, painting, photography, and music. When applied to design specifically, it creates an organic, balanced, and aesthetically-pleasing composition.

The Golden Ratio is derived when we divide a line into two parts and the longer part (a) separated by, the smaller section (b) is equal to the sum of (a) + (b) divided by (a), which both equal to 1.618. This formula helps us to create shapes, logos, layouts, and more.

 

Using the same idea, we can create a golden rectangle. The below diagram shows a rectangle with harmonious proportions using a square and multiple sides by 1.618 to get a new shape of a rectangle with balanced proportions.

While applying the Golden Ratio formula to the new rectangle, we end up with an image made up of increasingly smaller squares. Therefore, spiral over each square, starting in one corner and ending in the opposite one, we get the Fibonacci sequence (also known as the Golden Spiral).

 

 

Example1: Used for a Logo Design

 Example2: Cropping and resizing images 

 

Example3: Typography and defining hierarchy

The Golden Ratio helps us find font size used for headers and body copy on a website, landing page, blog post, or even print drive. 

 

 

While all published answers have clearly and correctly defined Golden Ration, Natwar Lal has given the maximum number of examples for applicability in various businesses and hence has been selected as the best answer. Congratulations!