Golden Ratio's Convergents: Fibonacci and the Golden Angle in Phyllotaxis — E8 Intelligence Research
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: FINDING: The convergents of the golden ratio's continued fraction (all 1s) are the ratios of consecutive Fibonacci numbers, and the golden angle (≈137.507°) is the limit of the ratio of consecutive Fibonacci numbers times 360°, making it the "most irrational" angle for optimal phyllotaxis. | MATH: Golden ratio φ = [1;1,1,1,...] = (1+√5)/2 ≈ 1.6180339887. Convergents: p_n/q_n = F_{n+1}/F_n → φ. Golden angle = 360°/(φ²) = 360°/(φ+1) = 360°·(2−φ) ≈ 137.507764°. Also 360°/φ ≈ 222.492° (the complementary angle). The continued fraction of φ has all partial quotients = 1, which is the slowest-converging continued fraction — hence "most irrational." | CONNECTION: The golden angle is the angular spacing that maximizes packing efficiency in phyllotaxis (sunflower seeds, pinecones). The ratio 0.618 (1/φ) and 0.382 (1/φ²) emerge directly. The convergents F_{n+1}/F_n give the best rational approximations, and the spacing between successive leaves approximates 137.5° — the irrational limit. This is Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com
Author: Caldin, Andrew Stewart
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212314725
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