Why the name Infinite Sequence?
Leonardo of Pisa
Leonardo of Pisa, commonly known as Fibonacci, was an Italian mathematician born around 1170. He is widely renowned for introducing the Western world to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system that we use today. One of his most recognized contributions is the introduction of the Fibonacci sequence in his book, "Liber Abaci," a comprehensive guide on practical arithmetic for businessmen and scholars.
The Fibonacci sequence is an intriguing series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. It begins with 0 and 1, and continues thus: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so forth. This pattern is connected with a variety of natural phenomena and is visually represented by a growth curve that begins slowly but eventually speeds up - analogous to population growth, natural structures like nautilus shell spirals, and financial market trends.
In the world of art, the Fibonacci sequence is represented by the "golden spiral," a logarithmic spiral whose growth factor is related to the golden ratio, a number approximately equal to 1.61803398875. This spiral pattern is frequently observed in nature, such as in the arrangement of a nautilus shell's chambers or the shape of galaxies.
One of the most well-known examples is found in botany, specifically in the arrangement of leaves, seeds, and petals in many plants. For instance, sunflowers typically exhibit a Fibonacci number of spirals in their seed arrangements. If you count the spirals in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, you will often find consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Similarly, pinecones and pineapples exhibit this pattern in the spirals of their scales.
Given this association with growth and development, the principles of the Fibonacci sequence can be applied to economic expansion, particularly at the local level. Economies don't grow in a linear fashion. They undergo periods of slow and fast growth, influenced by factors like reinvestment of capital, technological innovation, and development of human skills. This cyclical pattern aligns with the growth seen in the Fibonacci sequence and hints at how to stimulate local economies.
Infinite Sequence Economics has tapped into a transformative principle. By leveraging the inherent growth dynamics of the Fibonacci sequence, it offers strategies for sustainable economic development. The objective is to initiate economic growth that starts small and gains momentum over time, reflecting the essence of Fibonacci's numerical sequence. Thus, it aims to turn this mathematical concept into a powerful tool for promoting economic vitality and prosperity at the community level.