The corelation between the golden ratios of
fibonacci sequence to car engine air-cooling system
Bima Surya Wicaksana
Marine engineering department
Faculty of Marine Technology, ITS
Surabaya
Email: bimasuryawicaksana@gmail.com
Abstract— In these era, Mathematics is the most applicable
subject. From daily life activity up to complicated engineering,
mathematics have involved in them for many problematic
situation. Mathematics have many branches such as sequence
specifically fibonacci sequences that is being discussed in this
time. The application of that is using golden ratio to engine
cooling system to keep the temperature at least almost constant
from engine temperature fluctuation.
Keywords— Mathematics , fibonacci sequence, golden ratio,
engine cooling system, maintain engine temperature.
I. INTRODUCTION
In these era, Mathematics is the most applicable subject.
From daily life activity up to complicated engineering,
mathematics have involved in them for many problematic
situation. Mathematics have separated to be
algebra,geometry, and calculus. Sequence is one of the
mathematics branch, which is a string of objects, like numbers,
that follow a particular pattern. The individual elements in a
sequence are called terms. The application of sequence has
spread to all sector.
Engine is the most useful and influenced technology. The
uses of the engine is applied in auto-mobile or car. In the car,
engine is applicated as car prime mover. The Engine can
produce mechancal energy and heat energy. If it connected
with electrical generator, the engine can also produce electrical
energy indirectly. As engine is producing heat, it can damage
the other parts of car if too heat. So engineer design car engine
with air cooling system. This system use motorized fan to
move heat energy from the engine with radiator water. To
make the system is efficient and reliable, the cooling system is
work controlled by the temperature of the engine. If we analyze
it,this cooling system work is fit to the golden ratio graphic. So
the uses of fibonacci sequences can be applied in the working
of engine air-cooling system, specifically with golden ratio
graph.
II. FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
A. Sequence
A sequence, in mathematics, is a string of objects, like
numbers, that follow a particular pattern. The individual
elements in a sequence are called terms. If we have some
objects listed in some order, so that it has 1st term, 2nd term
and so on. then it is a sequence.
Fig. 1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, …
Pattern: “add 3 to the previous number to get the next number”
Fig. 2. 0,12,24,36,48,60,72, …
Pattern: “add 12 to the previous number to get the next number”
Fig. 3. 10,–2 8,×2 16,–2 14,×2 28,–2 26,×2 52, …
Pattern: “alternatingly subtract 2 and multiply by 2 to get the next number”
Fig. 4. 0,+2 2,+4 6,+6 12,+8 20,+10 30,+12 42, …
Pattern: “add increasing even numbers to get the next number
Fig. 1 up to fig, 4 above are some example of basic
sequence which have an pattern for each sequence. This
charateristic make not every set of number is sequnces. Basicly
there are theree types of sequence. First, Algebra sequence is
Any sequence in which the difference between every
successive terms is constant. It could be in ascending or
descending form according to the constant number. Then,
Geometric sequence is Any sequence in which the ratio
between every successive terms is constant. Last, Fibonacci
sequence is sequence that the term is sum of the first two
previous term and the second two previous term, and the
pattern is not visible.
B. Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci numbers are the sequence of numbers
defined by the linear recurrence equation or every new number
is the sum of the two previous numbers. This sequence
Introduced by Leonardo Bonacci (c. 1175-1250) of Pisa. The
definition of fibonacci sequence is explained in Eq. 1
Eq. 1 Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2
 with F1=F2=1. As a result of the equation (1), it is
conventional to define F0=0. the complete sequences are,
1,1,2,3,5,8,13,…..
To find value of fibonacci n term, we can use the formula
that developed by DeMoivre, and independently Jacques
Phillipe Marie Binet (1786- 1856) and Daniel Bernoulli (1700-
1782), following below:
Fig. 7.

Eq.2

C. Golden Ratio
Eq. 4
In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if
their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of Subtitute b/a to 1/φ
the two quantities.The golden ratio is also called the golden
mean or golden section (Latin: sectio aurea).Other names
include extreme and mean ratio,medial section, divine
proportion, divine section (Latin: sectio divina), golden
Eq. 5
proportion, golden cut,and golden number.The definition of
golden ratio comes from fibonacci sequence. The ratios of
successive Fibonacci numbers approaches the golden
Eq. 6
ratio φ as approaches infinity, as first proved by Scottish
mathematician Robert Simson in 1753. Then rearrange Eq. 6 to quadratic equation, and solve it. So
the amount of φ is

Eq. 7

III. ANALYZING THE GOLDEN RATIOS AND CAR ENGINE AIR-

COOLING FAN SYSTEM

A. The ratios of successive Fibonacci numbers.

The ratios of succesive fibonacci numbers is
The convergents of these fibonacci continued fractions (1/1,
2/1, 3/2, 5/3, 8/5, 13/8, ..., or 1/1, 1/2, 2/3, 3/5, 5/8, 8/13, ...).
the value of the ratio explained in Fig. 5.the ratio if we draw on
graph will be

Fig. 5.

In the fig.5 above, the term of fibonacci is divides with the

next term. The result is approximating 1.168. So, the value of
golden ratio is approximating 1.168
Fig. 6. ʹφ = 1.1680339887 (golden ratio)

Another ways to find is checking the result of Eq. 3 is φ

Eq. 3
 Fig. 10.

Today's cooling system must maintain the engine at a

constant temperature whether the outside air temperature is 110
degrees Fahrenheit or 10 below zero. If the engine
temperature is too low, fuel economy will suffer and emissions
Fig. 8.
will rise. If the temperature is allowed to get too hot for too
long, the engine will self destruct.
On the Fig. 8 above. Is the graphic of successive fibonacci
number ratio that is approaching to φ.
C. Golden ratios on engine temperature fluctuation
B. Car engine air-cooling fan system
the succesive fibbonaci numbers ratio give value that is
A typical 4 cylinder vehicle cruising along the highway at approximating 1.186.... or Golden ratio. This ratio is a
around 50 miles per hour, will produce 4000 controlled convergent sequent, whose the value is descent. If we look at
explosions per minute inside the engine as the spark plugs Fig. 8 above , the ratio graph is get stable as the n goes. This
ignite the fuel in each cylinder to propel the vehicle down the situation caused from the difference of ratio is getting closer
road. Obviously, these explosions produce an enormous into one value approximate that is 1.168.... .
amount of heat and, if not controlled, will destroy an engine in
a matter of minutes. Controlling these high temperatures is the t T (○C) Avg. Speed
job of the cooling system.
1 27
70
2 240
3 128
72
4 211,2
5 138,2
85
6 197,3
7 150,3
85
8 186,43
9 162,4
85
.... .........
T (○C) →
Fig. 9.
173
The modern cooling system has separated cooling fan. So, Fig. 11. Table of average engine temperature
the system can control the cooling to make constant
temperature by using motorized fan.The cooling system also We look on the table at Fig.11 above, the engine
has become infinitely more reliable and efficient at doing it's temperature is fluctiating because of engine cooling system.
job. The temperrature is approximating to 173 degree celcius. That
phenomeone is similiar to the golden ratio which approximate
1.186 . Not only that, but also in their graphic. We can compare
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember - Faculty of Marine Technology-
Marine engineering Department.
the golden ratio graph at Fig.8 and the blue line on engine
temperature graph at Fig. 10. The graphics are tend to make
almost straigth line or stable from anomalies.
So, It can be implied that engine cooling system might
follow the golden ratio principle to keep the engine constant,
although it never touch constant value as golden ratio do.
IV. COCLUSION
Mathematics are the most applicable and useful subject.
Mathematics are spreaded in every part on life, such on car
engine cooling system. Mathematics have many branches such
as sequence specifically fibonacci sequences that is being
discussed in this time. Fibonacci sequences has many uses in
human life. The application of fibonacci sequences is golden
ratio. The golden ratio come from finite fraction of fibonacci
numbers, this principle make a fluctuative value. In order to
approximate the 1,186 value, the values will tend to constant in
the graph. This principle is also used by engine cooling system
to keep the temperature at least almost constant. In short,
mathematics,golden ratios spesifically, have corelation to
engine cooling system work to keep the temperature, in order
to make the engine more reliable and decrease engine emission.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, Author would like to praise to God because of
his grace, author can finish this paper. And then big thanks to
Mr. Ede Mehta Wardana ST.MT as mathematics lecture for
your guidance and friends in marine engineering students batch
2017 for your support.
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