# Thread: math project Vitruvian Man ??

1. ## math project Vitruvian Man ??

I have a math project due in a few weeks. I've decided that I want to do a presentation on the math surrounding the Vitruvian man.
Does anyone know what the name of this math would be?

also...this is where "string wrapped around your wrist x times = the length of your arm" (i chose this so that my whole class would be involved rather than just drooling beasts) does anyone know where I can find all the various and accurate formulas for the different body parts? I don't want to just measure myself and then be way off.

I'm supposed to be doing this in a group, but one person said "you have to do this around my schedule" then walked off...and the other person just comes off as someone getting a free ride. I pretty much have to present all the formulas, steps and such in powerpoint...

yeah...I need help! I have a good handle on this, but since I don't know the name of the actual math used (ie: vitruvian man) i'm kinda in a corner. thanks in advance! ~Oub

2. Behold! (Give wikipedia and google some love and attention )

- a palm is the width of four fingers
- a foot is the width of four palms
- a cubit is the width of six palms
- a man's height is four cubits
- a pace is four cubits
- the length of a man's outspread arms is equal to his height
the distance from the hairline to the bottom of the chin is one-tenth of a man's height
- the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin is one-eighth of a man's height
- the maximum width of the shoulders is a quarter of a man's height
- the distance from the elbow to the tip of the hand is one-fifth of a man's height
- the distance from the elbow to the armpit is one-eighth of a man's height
the length of the hand is one-tenth of a man's height
- the distance from the bottom of the chin to the nose is one-third of the length of the head
- the distance from the hairline to the eyebrows is one-third of the length of the face
- the length of the ear is one-third of the length of the face

I'd say the kind of maths used are euh fractions and geometry? (Edit: In the above explanation obviously <_<)

3. Originally Posted by Oubliette
I have a math project due in a few weeks. I've decided that I want to do a presentation on the math surrounding the Vitruvian man.
Does anyone know what the name of this math would be?

also...this is where "string wrapped around your wrist x times = the length of your arm" (i chose this so that my whole class would be involved rather than just drooling beasts) does anyone know where I can find all the various and accurate formulas for the different body parts? I don't want to just measure myself and then be way off.

I'm supposed to be doing this in a group, but one person said "you have to do this around my schedule" then walked off...and the other person just comes off as someone getting a free ride. I pretty much have to present all the formulas, steps and such in powerpoint...

yeah...I need help! I have a good handle on this, but since I don't know the name of the actual math used (ie: vitruvian man) i'm kinda in a corner. thanks in advance! ~Oub
The most interesting piece of mathematics from the Vitruvian Man imho is the Golden Section, also known as the Golden Ratio, the Divine Proportion, or $\Phi$ (phi).

I'd strongly advise reading the Da Vinci Code. There is a chapter all about it and will get you hooked. There's also a huge amount of information around.

4. both of you are great....I kind of feel like a fool for not thinking of wikipedia! but that's okay...I obviously needed some fresh minds to help me out with that.

phi might be a little too much for a small presentation, but I'm going to at least mention it. (and definitly educate myself on it in case the Instructor decides to play tough with me )

Thanks guys... ur both great!
~Oub~