MATHEMATICS FOR LIBERAL ARTS
MATH 101
Southwestern   
Adventist University 
 
   Distance Education Lawrence E. Turner, Jr., Ph.D.  


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PROJECTS


project 2      golden ratio

A number of items such as photos, boxes, cans, etc. have a rectangular outline or shape. Measure the length and width of a number of these (at least 10 to 20) and compute the ratio of the length to width (length/width). Determine the average of these ratios. Write a report summarizing your findings.

Attempt to choose rectangular items that do not have their shape forced by some other need. As an example, the shape of a photograph is probably selected for its pleasing appearance whereas the shape of a VHS tape is to fit the VCR, not for asthetics.

Your report should contain a table such as:

no item length width ratio
 
1        
2        
3        
         
         

It is important that you build the table consistently. Make the length the larger of the two dimensions, and always divide the length by the width to obtain the ratio. Note: the ratio should always be greater than or equal to 1.

Compute the average of the ratio values (add them and divide by the number). Compare the average to the value of the Golden Ratio.		  
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 by Lawrence Turner