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'Golden Construction' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
In this problem you start with a square, construct a golden
rectangle and calculate the value of the golden ratio.
When you cut a square off a golden rectangle you are left with
another rectangle whose sides are in the same ratio. In the diagram
below, if you remove the orange square from rectangle $AEFD$, you
are left with the yellow rectangle whose sides are in the same
ratio as $AEFD$.
(1) Follow the instructions for drawing the rectangle $AEFD$. You
can make the most accurate drawing by using a ruler and compasses.
Draw a square $ABCD$ of side length 10 cm. Bisect $AB$ at $M$ and
draw an arc of radius $MC$ to meet $AB$ produced at $E$. If you
prefer you can just measure $MC$ and mark $E$ on $AB$ so that
$ME=MC$. Draw $EF$ perpendicular to $AB$ to meet $DC$ produced at
$F$.
Measure $AE$ and $BE$. From your measurements calculate the ratios
$AE$/$AD$ and $BC/BE$. What do you notice?
(2) Calculate the exact lengths of $MC$, $AE$ and $BE$. Calculate
the exact value of the ratios $AE$/$AD$ and $BC$/$BE$ and prove
that they are equal. [Note: To get exact values you must work with
surds and you will not be able to use a calculator.]
(3) Suppose this ratio is denoted by $\phi$ and take 10 cm as 1
unit then $AE$ is $\phi$ units. Show that $BE$ is $1/\phi$ units
and hence $$\phi = 1 + {1\over \phi}\quad (1)$$
Explain just from equation (1), and without solving the equation,
why the equation must have a solution between 1 and 2.
(4) Draw the graphs of $y=x$, $y=1/x$ and $y=1+1/x$ on the same
axes and use your graph to find an approximate value for $\phi$.
(5) Solve equation (1) to find the value of $\phi$.