Fibonacci Numbers
Fibonacci numbers are named after Leonardo Fibonacci, a twelfth century Italian mathematician, who discovered the unique properties of a particular number sequence; apparently from studying the dimensions of the Great Pyramid at Gizeh in Egypt.
Fibonacci numbers
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, etc.
Each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers:
1 + 1 = 2,
1 + 2 = 3,
2 + 3 = 5,
and so on….
The Golden Ratio
As we progress along the sequence, the ratio of each number to its preceding number approaches closer and closer to the golden ratio: approximately 1.618. The golden ratio, often represented by the Greek letter Φ (Phi), is calculated as:
( 1 + √ 5 ) / 2
Each number is also approximately 0.618 of its successor. This reciprocal number, known as φ (phi), is calculated as:
( √ 5 – 1 ) / 2
Where √ 5 is the square root of 5.
| Fibonacci Golden Ratio and its Reciprocal |
| Each number divided by its predecessor approaches 1.618 |
Each number divided by its successor approaches 0.618 |
| 1/1 |
1.0 |
1/1 |
1.0 |
| 2/1 |
2.0 |
1/2 |
0.5 |
| 3/2 |
1.5 |
2/3 |
0.666… |
| 5/3 |
1.666… |
3/5 |
0.6 |
| 8/5 |
1.6 |
5/8 |
0.625 |
| 13/8 |
1.625 |
8/13 |
0.61538… |
| 21/13 |
1.61538… |
13/21 |
0.61905… |
| 34/21 |
1.61905… |
21/34 |
0.61765… |
| 55/34 |
1.61765… |
34/55 |
0.61818… |
| 89/55 |
1.61818… |
55/89 |
0.61798 |
Fibonacci Numbers in Nature
Fibonacci numbers occur throughout nature:
- the arrangement of petals in most flowers
- the arrangement of leaves on most plants
- sea-shell spirals
- the arrangement of seeds on sunflowers, pine cones and many other plant species.
While the Fibonacci number sequence may be prevalent in nature, it is not a universal law. There are many exceptions.
Fibonacci Ratios
Four ratios are normally plotted:
- 0.618 (or 61.8 per cent), the reciprocal of the golden ratio, is the most important;
- 0.50 (or 50 per cent) – the second number divided by the third (1 divided by 2);
- 0.382 (or 38.2 per cent) – the reciprocal of the golden ratio squared (i.e. 89 / 233);
- 0.236 (or 23.6 per cent) – the reciprocal of the golden ratio cubed (i.e. 55 / 233).
Fibonacci and Stocks
Fibonacci ratios regularly occur in stock market cycles and in the determination of support and resistance levels. Some traders attach almost mystical significance to them, but I have yet to find any statistical support for this.
The weakest of the Fibonacci ratios is 0.50. In fact some maintain that 0.50 is not really a Fibonacci ratio at all because it has no connection to the golden ratio. Nevertheless, it is probably the most prevalent: the first line of support in a rally is the previous peak — which often equates to a 50% retracement.
Views – 296
Recent Comments