1. Numeracy
Learning objective:
To recognise and explain a
number pattern.

2. Maths is exciting!!!!!
It links to the
world around
us?
It is not
something that
someone has
just ‘made up’?
Many of our
ancestors have been
investigating
mathematical
theories for millions
of years?

3. Have you ever wondered how many
spirals a sunflower centre has?

4. Well, it is all to do with a number sequence which
was discovered over 8000 years ago by an Italian
mathematician called Leonardo Fibonacci.

5. He discovered this number sequence
0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21
What are the next numbers in this
sequence?
Can you work out the rule for this
number sequence?
How can we record our findings?

6. The next numbers are
34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597
So what is the rule?
You add the last two numbers
together to get the next number!
This number sequence is called
Fibonacci numbers.

7. Ok, so how does this link to sunflowers
and nature?
On many plants, the
number of petals is
a Fibonacci number
and the seed
distribution on
sunflowers has a
Fibonacci spiral
effect.
http://www.maths.surrey.ac.uk/hosted-sit

8. Activity:
Put a line under any number in the
sequence. Add up all the numbers above
the line.
What do you notice?
The total of all the line is one less than
the second number below the line.
Is this true every time?
How can we record our results?

9. Steps to success
Remember to:
•Work co-operatively with your
partner;
•Read the problem carefully;
•Think of a logical way to calculate
your answers;
•Ask for help if unsure

10. Challenge:
Take any three numbers in the sequence.
Multiply the middle number by itself.
Then multiply the first and the third
numbers together.
Try this a few times.
Do the answers have something in
common?
Are there any numbers that do not fit
this rule?
Tip: Use a
calculator to
help you!

11. Fibonacci’s number pattern can also be
seen elsewhere in nature:
•with the rabbit population
•with snail shells
•with the bones in your fingers
•with pine cones
•with the stars in the solar system

12. If you have time tonight
Google Fibonacci and see
where else his number
sequence appears.