Leonardo Fibonacci (Fy-boe-nach-ee)
By: Nathan French, Gifted Math 6, 6th Hour
The birth and death of Leonarde Fibonacci
Leonardo Fibonacci was born in Pisa, Italy, around 1170 C.E. (Actual date unknown) but grew up in Bougie, Algeria.
He most likely died in Pisa, Italy as well, around 1250 C.E.
Contributions
One of Leonardo's most known contibutions would be the fibonacci sequence, which consists of a number added to the number before it. Here is a small piece of it: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597.
Another thing he contributed through was the Modus Indorum (indian) numerical system, or as we know it now the Hindu-Arabic numerical system. This is the numerical system we now use today. He made a book about it, which I will explain more about in another section.
Contributions (Why)
The fibonacci sequence was used for quite a few things, one of the better known uses was in a rabbit experiment. They put 2 rabbits in a field, they would never die, and at the end of each month they mated. The fibonacci sequence could be used to figure out how many rabbits cordinated with each month.
The Hindu-Arabic numerical system is now used for currency, measurement, weight, and many other things.
Other information about the Hindu-Arabic numerical system
He introduced this through a book, and it showed almost all of the everyday practical uses that it could be used for. A couple examples would be the measures of currency, weight, measurment, etc., as well as comparing it to other numerical systems.