a not quite example of applied math

Fibonacci was a mathematician familiar, I’m sure, to at least a couple of you readers. He is best known for adding up a few numbers together to create his ‘Fibonacci Sequence’ which, for those unfamiliar with major accomplishments in mathematics, works by adding the two most recent numbers of the seuquence together to produce the next number in the sequence. Then, repeat.

Pointless, right? Brilliant, right?

It starts at 1 and goes from there:

0+1 = 1
1+1 = 2
1+2 = 3
2+3 = 5

...and on and on…

You know, the more I think about it, this strikes me as a truly ridiculous thing to be known for. The standards for fame must have been really low back in the day...

Anyway, that's the sequence.

I’m not sure if there are any obvious applications. The curious reader is free to do a quick Google search and find their own interesting results (1).

From my experience, I tend to notice these ‘applied math’ concepts after the fact. The most recent case came when I studied my post-college living history.

South Boston – 1 year
Central Square – 1 year
South Boston – 2 years
Beacon Hill – 3 years

Starting to look familiar? Unfortunately, I failed to notice the Fibonacci Sequence until after I signed on for year four in my Beacon Hill Studio. So, it looks like I’m no longer applying the great Italian’s elementary arithmetic skills to my own apartment hopping.

I’m left with no choice but to apply a version of a geometric series. In this application, the next number is doubled from the previous.

1 -> 2
2 -> 4
4 -> 8

...and on and on...

The geometric sequence suggests I’m in my last year of my current apartment and will soon move to a place I will live in for the next eight years.

South Boston – 1 year
Central Square – 1 year
South Boston – 2 years
Beacon Hill – 4 years (?)
The next one – 8 years (???)

I felt good about myself for a few minutes before I realized that I hadn't really done anything 'geometric' here since '1' happens twice. You noticed too, reader? Very nice work, 'A+' stuff, I say!

It highlights the general truth which often results in misapplied models: humans are very good at spotting non-existent patterns.

General truth: humans are very good at spotting non-existent patterns.

Or, perhaps, I should tweak this idea: humans are very good at ignoring certain things, leaving only just enough data to fit neatly into an otherwise non-existent pattern.

Updated general truth: humans are very good at ignoring certain things, leaving only just enough data to fit neatly into an otherwise non-existent pattern.

Footnotes / imagined complaints

1. A basic list of Fibonacci applications

Ha. Didn't you read this post? 'The curious reader is free to do a quick Google search...'

So stop reading this and get up on Google!