Procedures

These are the procedures for conducting the measurements described in the lesson "Is Your Body in Golden Shape?"

In this lesson the students are trying to determine whether or not the Golden Ratio is in their body.

1. Form groups of two or three.
2. Distribute tape measures to groups.
3. Have each student make a table like the one below and include the name of each person in their group in that table.
4. Make the following measurements for each person in the group. If you are unsure of how to make the measurement, click on the word photo next to description. This link will show you pictures of what measurements are intended in each case.
   • Measure the Height from top of head to bottom of feet. Call it B.
   • Measure the Naval height from the floor to the naval of each person in the group. Call this measure N.
   • Measure the length of an index finger and call it F.
   • Measure the distance form the big knuckle in the "middle" of the index finger to the finger tip. Call it K.
   • Measure the length of a leg from hip joint to the floor and call it L.
   • Measure the distance from the hip joint to the knee of the same leg measured above. Call it H.
   • Measure the length of an arm from shoulder to the fingertips and call it A.
   • Measure the distance from the elbow to the fingertips of the same arm above and call it E.
   • Measure the distance from the top of the head to the chin and call it C.
   • Measure the distance from the center of the eyes to the chin and call it Y.
   • Measure the circumference of the head and call it M.
   • Measure the circumference of the neck and call it I.
5. Calculate the following ratios.

   B/N

   F/K

   L/H

   A/E

   C/Y

   M/I

6. Have the students compare the ratios calculated for each member of their group. Have them make any generalizations they see. Now have the groups combine in pairs and compare all of the ratios for the two groups. Can you make a generalization yet? Now have those groups get together in pairs and compare data again. continue doing this until the whole class is together. Can generalizations be made about any of the ratios calculated?
7. Discuss the effect of sample size on the students' ability to make generalizations.
8. Review the Golden Ratio---what it is---Where it comes from---how it is present in nature, art, architecture, etc.
9. Did any of the students' ratios come close to the Golden Ratio?
10. Is this proof our assumption is always true?

This the table that each of the students should recreate on their own paper (as mentioned in step #3.)