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The Divine Proportion: A Study in Mathematical Beauty (Dover Books on Mathematics) Paperback – June 1, 1970

by H. E. Huntley (Author)

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Using simple mathematical formulas, most as basic as Pythagoras's theorem and requiring only a very limited knowledge of mathematics, Professor Huntley explores the fascinating relationship between geometry and aesthetics. Poetry, patterns like Pascal's triangle, philosophy, psychology, music, and dozens of simple mathematical figures are enlisted to show that the "divine proportion" or "golden ratio" is a feature of geometry and analysis which awakes answering echoes in the human psyche. When we judge a work of art aesthetically satisfying, according to his formulation, we are making it conform to a pattern whose outline is laid down in simple geometrical figures; and it is the analysis of these figures which forms the core of Professor Huntley's book.
For the philosopher, scientist, poet, art historian, music listener, artist, as well as the general reader who wants to understand more about the fascinating properties of numbers, this is a beautifully written, exciting account of the search for a naturally manifested aesthetic that has occupied man since he first asked the question "why?"
"This is a delightful book to read. . . . It wanders here and there through some of the most attractive byways of simple mathematics, returning always to the oddities and pleasures of the golden section. This is a browser's book — a happy, untidy traveling or bedside book for those who know how to enjoy the charm of numbers and shapes." — Dr. J. Bronowski, The Salk Institute.

The Divine Proportion: A Study in Mathematical Beauty (Dover Books on Mathematics)

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Product Details

Series: Dover Books on Mathematics
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; 1st edition (June 1, 1970)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486222543
ISBN-13: 978-0486222547
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #132 in Books > Science & Math > Mathematics > Geometry & Topology > Topology

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Customer Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		27%
4 star		13%
3 star		46%
2 star		7%
1 star		7%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful

Very fun book, despite a few far-fetches

By A Customer on September 15, 1999

Format: Paperback

Can one write a whole book about a number? Well this book is basically about the golden ratio ( [1 + sqrt(5)]/2 = 1.618...]), usually represented by the greek letter "phi" (and I'll refer to this number here as phi). The book gives tons of examples where phi shows up, and it does amazingly show up in places where one might never expect it. But the book isn't just a pile of examples. As the title implies, it is also about math and aesthetics. There are some interesting historical notes and art/aesthetics commentaries from the author. Huntley proposes (and I might be oversimplifying a bit here) that phi is a universal number of beauty, since it manifests itself in many aesthetically pleasing things, from patterns in nature to famous artwork and architechture. He also points out lots of purely mathematical curiosities of phi (like the connection between it and the fibonacci sequence, continued fractions, etc.)
My only complaints is that there are a few connections that seem far-fetched. Again, the book _is_ filled with plenty of amazing examples where phi shows up, including many places where one might least expect it. But really, not every sighting of "1.6" calls for a cry of "eurika"! (And oddly enought, at some point the author criticizes the ancient Greeks for once acting like that!) The section on music had some flaws and really far-fetched claims, which is too bad, since I've always loved researching the math/music connection.
But over all, the book does leave me wondering why Pi should get all the fame.

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51 of 53 people found the following review helpful

Solid intro to the golden rectangle

By A Customer on April 4, 2000

Format: Paperback

This book is perfect if you enjoyed the movie Pi and want to learn more, or if you are researching connections between math and religion, art, quality (per R. Pirsig), or aesthetics. One downer is that Huntley tries, and fails, to explain how math can be beautiful just like poetry can be beautiful. I personally think that you either dig math or you don't. Huntley should assume that anyone reading his/her book is at least interested and therefore skip the "math can be pretty too" lesson. Beyond that, though, the book is a thorough introduction to phi and the golden ratio. Huntley more than makes up for his mentioned faults by providing numerous equations, proofs, plots, and diagrams. The math level is pre-calculus with emphasis on geometry. I recommend reading this with plenty of scratch paper handy so that you can work along with the text and prove to yourself how deep this rabbit hole goes.

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122 of 135 people found the following review helpful

Mathematical error and misleading conclusion on page 99.

By Danni Akers on August 14, 2000

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

For the most part an excellent, easy to follow work. However, on page 99 (item #3, bottom of page) the author states the incorrect equality: 2(phi+1+1/phi)=4, for the surface area of the golden cuboid. Correctly, the surface area of the given cuboid should be equal to approximately 6.472. This error could be overlooked except for the fact that the author extrapolates on this incorrect result (next page, item #4) and hints at a connection between pi and phi. The author uses his incorrect constant of proportionality, namely "4", which appears in the figuring of the surface area of the circumscribing sphere and the cuboid, as evidence of this "connection". Thus, in the guise of some illusive geometric "hint", leaving the reader with the idea that a tie between these two constants may exist in this geometric figure. The significance of this error cannot be overlooked.

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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

I agree with the gentleman from Atlanta...

By Wendy Vedder on January 17, 2003

Format: Paperback

The review from Atlanta said he was tempted to staple entire pages together to eliminate the gushing in this book... I actually went through with a marker and crossed out what irritated me (about a third of the book).
Aside from that, this book does an excellent job at giving a beginner a handle on phi. Many of his examples either don't work out (as the other commentators have indicated) or more often, aren't spelled out well enough for the novice. Nonetheless, it's a book worth having. The relationships between E, Pi, and Phi, the three constants for the three dimensions of numbers, are well treated.
Mark Vedder

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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

Phi and the Divine Proportion

By Adrian Kok on November 23, 2004

Format: Paperback

Phi - the Greek alphbet that denotes the golden ratio. It is a fixed mathematical ratio that has been associated with aesthetically pleasing shapes, which is what Huntley's book, The Divine Proportion, attempts to describe. This ratio permeates various geometrical structures and has been linked to pleasing shapes (as identified through independent surveys).

Unfortunately, my mathematical faculties have been unexercised since I left university, and the book stretches my knowledge to its limits. If I were reading this ten years earlier, I might have found it easier. But nonetheless, this tome is for those who are comfortable with mathematical expressions, and not for an unprepared reader.

But still Huntley has made a commendable effort to bring together various disciplines - of music, psychology, geometry, algebra - and ties everything together with the Golden Ratio. His arguments are refreshing - its one of the first times I have heard anyone argue for the beauty of mathematics.

Now, if I only had the time to revise my algebra and work on those exercises!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

The truth is obvious!

Published 4 months ago by Ralph Wells

More Math than Art

His "Perspective" is better, however, this is a very thorough account of "phi," with many mathematical equations. It's somewhat dry as literature, better as math.

Published 5 months ago by Brett A. Pedersen

Five Stars

Beautifully intriguing.

Published 7 months ago by DBL

All hat and no cattle.

I have a lot of books about numbers. The history of Pi being one of my favorites. This being my least favorite. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Ronald Day

Excellent

My Favorite geometry. Excellent book.

Published 14 months ago by J. Tideman

Rambling of a professor

Reading this book reminds of the many "courses" I took in college where I sat through the rambling of gray-haired lecturers, musing on and on about their views of life etc. Read more

Published on June 7, 2006 by Babylon Bookie

Not for the designer...

I bought this book together with "Geometry of Design" thinking they where similar... but this is just a mathematical book ... sorry for those who like maths... Read more

Published on March 26, 2005 by Fernan Castillo

A Cogent Reference of Beauty

Anyone who rates this book on "fact" or "truth" will be very disappointed. Both are subjective. The objective of Huntley is to demonstrate a natural pattern in nature that exists... Read more

Published on September 23, 2004 by John David Herndon

not very mathematical

i can see that mr. huntley really thinks mathematics are beutiful (and i agree), but he fails to make a convincing argument of that fact. Read more

Published on April 11, 2004

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