Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand

Background: Fibonacci described a mathematical sequence starting 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… where each sub sequential number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The golden ratio (Phi, Φ = 1.618) is the ratio of two consecutive numbers in the sequence. Here, we investigate whether there is a relations...

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Main Authors: Andrew S Miller, Rhodri Gwyn, Dhritiman Bhattacharjee, Louisa N Banks
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jnsmonline.org/article.asp?issn=2589-627X;year=2021;volume=4;issue=1;spage=58;epage=63;aulast=Miller
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author Andrew S Miller
Rhodri Gwyn
Dhritiman Bhattacharjee
Louisa N Banks
author_facet Andrew S Miller
Rhodri Gwyn
Dhritiman Bhattacharjee
Louisa N Banks
author_sort Andrew S Miller
collection DOAJ
description Background: Fibonacci described a mathematical sequence starting 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… where each sub sequential number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The golden ratio (Phi, Φ = 1.618) is the ratio of two consecutive numbers in the sequence. Here, we investigate whether there is a relationship between these mathematical sequences or ratios and functional or actual lengths of the digits. Methods: Two hundred radiographs of the hand were reviewed by three independent reviewers (interobserver correlation r >0.98), and the actual and functional phalangeal lengths were measured. Results: Both the functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the little finger followed Fibonacci's sequence. The index, middle, and ring fingers followed a mathematical sequence related to the Fibonacci's sequence. We were not able to demonstrate any direct relationship between phalangeal length and the golden ration (Φ). The sum of lengths of the distal and middle phalanx equals the length of the proximal phalanx with great accuracy. Conclusions: This is useful in many surgical situations (congenital deformities, polytrauma to the hands, and arthroplasty).
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spelling doaj.art-95331bf144cd41be9b36472cfdb3530b2022-12-21T19:43:49ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Nature and Science of Medicine2589-627X2589-62882021-01-0141586310.4103/JNSM.JNSM_65_20Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the handAndrew S MillerRhodri GwynDhritiman BhattacharjeeLouisa N BanksBackground: Fibonacci described a mathematical sequence starting 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… where each sub sequential number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The golden ratio (Phi, Φ = 1.618) is the ratio of two consecutive numbers in the sequence. Here, we investigate whether there is a relationship between these mathematical sequences or ratios and functional or actual lengths of the digits. Methods: Two hundred radiographs of the hand were reviewed by three independent reviewers (interobserver correlation r >0.98), and the actual and functional phalangeal lengths were measured. Results: Both the functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the little finger followed Fibonacci's sequence. The index, middle, and ring fingers followed a mathematical sequence related to the Fibonacci's sequence. We were not able to demonstrate any direct relationship between phalangeal length and the golden ration (Φ). The sum of lengths of the distal and middle phalanx equals the length of the proximal phalanx with great accuracy. Conclusions: This is useful in many surgical situations (congenital deformities, polytrauma to the hands, and arthroplasty).http://www.jnsmonline.org/article.asp?issn=2589-627X;year=2021;volume=4;issue=1;spage=58;epage=63;aulast=Millerfibonaccifunctional lengthsgolden ratiophalanges
spellingShingle Andrew S Miller
Rhodri Gwyn
Dhritiman Bhattacharjee
Louisa N Banks
Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine
fibonacci
functional lengths
golden ratio
phalanges
title Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
title_full Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
title_fullStr Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
title_full_unstemmed Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
title_short Fibonacci's mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
title_sort fibonacci s mathematical sequence predicts functional and actual lengths of the phalanges of the hand
topic fibonacci
functional lengths
golden ratio
phalanges
url http://www.jnsmonline.org/article.asp?issn=2589-627X;year=2021;volume=4;issue=1;spage=58;epage=63;aulast=Miller
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