What is the gold number?

There are two very different meanings for the gold number , depending on the context of the phrase. The gold number in mathematics is usually used to indicate a gold ratio, which is the way in which two quantities interact. The gold number can also refer to the number of the year to indicate where it falls into the astrological sequence, the metonic cycle.

The metonic cycle dates back to ancient times when the meton of Athens, the famous astronomer, found that 19 years corresponded to almost exactly 235 lunar moon. The metonic cycle served as the basis for Western calendar systems until the arrival of the Julian calendar in the 1st century and continues to be used in many different situations. Many surviving calendar systems, especially the Hebrew calendar, continue to be based on a 19 -year cycle. Because twelve lunar months are considerably less than the real tropical year, the metonic cycle included the next months in the 3rd year, 5 years, 8 years, 11 years, 13 years, 16 years and 19 years of the cycle.

In modern times, the metonic cycle is rarely used, but is still used. For example, it is used to calculate starter windows for lunar missions. This is also most used to calculate the date of Easter for the Christian calendar, both in the Eastern Orthodox faith and in the Roman Catholic faith. This calculation using the gold number and relying on the metonic cycle is officially known as computus .

The gold number is a key part in determining Easter date, as it determines the year in the metonic cycle we are currently. It can be determined by the pattern: Gold number = x Mod + 1. To simplify the fact that in the Christian era we take the current year, such as 2009 and divide it ninety, and then add one day. Extra day, known as saltus lunae , help the inconsistency in the calendar caused by a slight difference between the moon and the sun year.

The gold number is important in this calculation becauseEaster must fall on Sunday during the third week of the lunar month that falls after the spring Ekvinox. This is a complex concept and it can be difficult to wrap your head around, so the gold number helps to simplify the calculation of the moon. Basically, the spring equinox is determined by the solar calendar and thus decreases 21 March. At the same time, the traditional month was based on the monthly months and Easter is determined on the basis of this lunar system.

Finding a gold number allows you to find out exactly where the lunar month in relation to the 21st March. As soon as you know which lunar month has its middle point or formal full moon, after March 21, then you can take this Sunday to find out that it is Easter. In other words, within the solar calendar, which most of us use daily, Easter is carried around the calendar between March 22 and 25 April. But in the lunar system that represents the golden number, Easter always falls 3. Sunday of the Paschalian month, every year.