The connection between Fibonacci numbers and Pythagorean triples is well known (cf [6], [16], [17]). But this connection is not frequently used to introduce Fibonacci numbers. I propose a classroom lesson that involves students working with a familiar topic (Pythagorean triples) prior to connecting it to an unfamiliar one (Fibonacci numbers). In my experience, the preliminary work with triples motivates a discussion of this connection, and stimulates students to want to
*In 1983, the largest public university system in the country—the California State University System—established a mathematics course as a graduation requirement for all students at any of its nineteen campuses. 2The appendix includes an annotated list of books, journal articles, and videotapes that I used as resources for classroom discussion and projects. All numbers in brackets [ ] refer to the resources listed in this appendix. 19931 21
CONNECTIONS IN MATHEMATICS