Re^4: Constants you cannot help but remember

As I recall it, Phi was unique because it was the only solution to equation, (X^2)-1=X. Also, 1/Phi= Phi-1. It's kind of a fun number to play with, if you're into that sort of thing...

בּרוּך

Comment on Re^4: Constants you cannot help but remember

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^5: Constants you cannot help but remember by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Jun 10, 2004 at 01:03 UTC
I kinda guessed that poqui had used the wrong formula:) This is 'Golden Mean' by another name isn't it? Examine what is said, not who speaks. "Efficiency is intelligent laziness." -David Dunham "Think for yourself!" - Abigail	[reply]
Re^6: Constants you cannot help but remember by ambrus (Abbot) on Jul 05, 2004 at 11:06 UTC
Sure, it's the golden mean, (sqrt(5)+1)/2. Knuth calls it phi in the Concrete Mathematics. (Note the fine way Knuth abuses greek letters: the golden mean phi is \phi but the Euler-phi function is written as \varphi in the book.)	[reply]