Palindromes & Fibonacci Numbers

What is a Palindrome?  A palindrome is a word, phrase or number that reads the same forwards or backwards.  Origin – from Greek palindromos ‘running back again’.  Some examples of palindromes are:  Bob, Viv  The numbers 99,101, 262, 747,  “Able was I, ere I saw Elba.”

Question 1  When both a clock’s hands are on 12, and the sun is overhead, what time is it?

Question 2  This young dog is a palindrome.

Question 3  This part of the body is a palindrome.

Question 4  This member of the family is a palindrome.

Question 5  This member of the family is also a palindrome.

Question 6  This type of boat is a palindrome.

Now let’s look at numbers. Remember a palindrome reads the same forwards and backwards.

Question 7  What is the greatest palindromic number less than 50?

Question 8  What is the smallest palindromic number greater than 20?

Question 9  What is the next palindromic number after the one you have just found?

Question 10  What is the palindromic time you might have a cup of tea just before 10.00am.

Question 11  What was the last palindromic year in the 20 th Century?

Question 12  What was the first palindromic year in the 21 st Century?

The answers are:  1. noon  2. pup  3. eye  4 mam/mum  5. dad/pop  6. kayak      

Fibonacci Numbers  0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13,  How does this sequence of numbers continue??  Work with the person next to you, to find your answer…

Solution  Add two consecutive numbers from the sequence to get the next one following them.  This sequence is called Fibonacci numbers. And it isn't just any ole sequence of any ole numbers... it has some amazing properties, plus it's found in nature in many places.  0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89,...

Where are Fibonacci numbers found?  For example, Fibonacci numbers are found in  Petals on flowers  Seed heads  Pine cones  Leaf arrangements  Vegetables and Fruit