What is a Golden Number?
There are two very different meanings for a golden number, depending on what context the phrase is used in. A golden number in mathematics is usually used to refer to the golden ratio, a way in which two quantities interact. A golden number may also refer to a number given to a year to indicate where it falls in an astrological sequence, the Metonic cycle. The Metonic cycle dates back to antiquity, when Meton of Athens, a famous astronomer, discovered that 19 years corresponded almost exactly to 235 lunar months. The Metonic cycle served as the basis for the Western calendar systems until the advent of the Julian calendar in the 1st century, and continues to be used in many different situations. A number of surviving calendar systems, most notably the Hebrew calendar, continue to be based on a 19-year cycle. Because twelve lunar months is substantially less than a true tropical year, the Metonic cycle included additional months in the 3rd year, 5th year, 8th year, 11th year, 13th year,
