Golden Section Method

 The golden section method can be used for estimating the maximum, minimum, or

zero of a one-variable function. The function is assumed to uni-modal, but does not

necessarily have to have continuous derivatives. In contrast to polynomial curve fitting

techniques, the rate of convergence for the golden section method can be determined.

This method is reliable for poorly conditioned problems but a well-conditioned problem

will not converge any more rapidly.

 The golden section recurs in nature as an aesthetic ratio and throughout history as a

number to which mysterious properties were attributed [11]. This ratio is the ratio of the

base to the height of the Great Pyramid. Leonardo da Vinci added to the popularity with

his studies on proportions of the human body. He found that this ratio was the distance

from the navel to the ground divided by the distance from the top of the head to the navel

of the "optimum" human body (see figure 3.1).











 ,., .. ..--


Figure 3.1: BC/AB = Golden Section Ratio