19/05/2020
Students always keep asking where is math getting used in real life. How are algebra, geometry and other mathematical concepts are helpful in real life? So, let's try to find out the secret behind the famous art work - The Mona Lisa (See the picture below)
Leonardo da Vinci used what is known as the golden ratio. The golden ratio is approximately 1.618 and is represented by the Greek letter phi. This ratio is achieved when you divide a line so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is equal to the whole line divided by the longer part.
a/b=(a+b)/a=1.618 = Ø
If you divided your line into a longer portion a and a shorter portion b, then the golden ratio will have your a / b equal to a + b / a. This number will be the Greek letter phi representing 1.618.
The Mona Lisa uses the golden ratio throughout the painting. If you take a ruler and begin measuring different parts, you'll see that you'll get the golden ratio of 1.618 when you divide the longer measurement by the shorter measurement. For example, dividing Mona Lisa's head by the distance from the top of her head to her nose will give you the golden ratio. The placement of her arms also fit the golden ratio. The golden ratio is used elsewhere too. Photographers for example, try to use the golden ratio when composing their photography. Instead of having the skyline right in the middle, the skyline will be at one of the golden ratios within the photograph.
